(1866) History of the 104th Pennsylvania Regiment: From 1861 to 1864

QforncU Imttetaitjj ffiibtarg

atljata, Sfeui ^arh

THE JAMES VERNER SCAIFE

COLLECTION

CIVIL WAR LITERATURE

THE GIFT OFJAMES VERNER SCAIFE

CLASS OF 1889

1919

Cornell University Library

E527.5 104th .026

Histoi of the 104th Pennsylvania regim

olin

3 1924 030 914 513

The original of tliis book is in

tlie Cornell University Library.

There are no known copyright restrictions in

the United States on the use of the text.

http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924030914513

'^l^l.î:•—> Si SCf -^ '-L JS "' ID

V M .2

.2 O'

S CO—

J3 — '^" -a>" So cd

.^ "

s'S.s-gW n,

l-H

eg

it;'-' a? cS ? i-'^>2" -Co—'r;

^^-5 rf rt,0 :

'"^ -"-^ ^'"-r <^ cT2r\ c Si3 ''fi'Ti 5

2 t^

o K c '^"i; «3 oo

'nP-t <^ - ^' =c *r

o

o £• 3; r- »2 ° ?

^ g.i' a g a

.2 O

On'

vj c: _c fcx. -t^ > -e

Ka -^ ~t* — •

O' '-' - 1—< ;- i^ rC

ii i o

to£ bo

KV

^ '^ TS t*- ^

o

•î rs

> oI

• ,C tn P* nl

'. 0<

_) *^ o: ô"

5 = "^ '- 2

^

o *J

H COMOOo « toas

HISTORY

104th Pennsylvania Regiment,

August 22nd, 1861, to September 30th, 1861.

BY

W. W. H. DAVIS,LATE COLONEL.

PHILADELPHIA:JAS. B. RODGERS, PRINTER, 52 & 54 NORTH SIXTH STREET.

1866.

A.S^^^S'Y

Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1866,

By W. W. H. BAVIS,

In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States, in and for the

Eastern District of Pennsylvania.

iiedic

HENRY M. NAGLEE, OP SAN JOSE, OAL.,

ESQUIRE,

LATE BRIGADIER GENERAL IN THE VOLUNTEER ARMY OF THE

UNITED STATES,

THIS VOLUME IS RESPECirULLY INSCRIBED,

AS A TRIBUTE OF RESPECT TO HIS PATRIOTISM

AND GALLANTRY,

BY THE

A-UTHOE..

ILLUSTRATIONS.

General Henbt M. Naglee, Frontispiece.

Majou John M. Gries, 85

Lieutenant Edward S. McDowell, 109

Head-Quarters, 185

Camp on Morris Island, 265

Lieutenant Philip Burke, 325

CONTENTS,

PAGECHAPTER I.

Okqanization op Eegimbnt.,

CHAPTER II.

EeOIMENT OEDEEED to WASHINQTOlf 22

CHAPTER III.

In Wintee Qoaetees 35

CHAPTER IV.

On the Peninsula 47

CHAPTER V.

Enemy pprsued peom Yokktown 60

CHAPTER VI.

On the Chickahominy 12

CHAPTER VII.

Advance on Richmond 85

CHAPTER VIII.

The 104th at Fate Oaks .» 99

CHAPTER IX.

Flank Movement to the James 113

CHAPTER X.

Maech to Harbison's Landing '. 126

CHAPTER XI.

The Aemy withdraws prom the Peninsula 140

CHAPTER XII.

The Regiment at Gloucesteb Point 153

CHAPTER XIII.

Embark for the South 166

Vll CONTENTS.\

CHAPTER XIV. Page.

Aerive at Poet Royal 1''^

CHAPTER XV.

Iiion-Clad Attack on Sumtee 182

CHAPTER XVI.

In Camp at Beaufoet ' 206

CHAPTER XVII.

Opekations against Chaelbston 218

CHAPTER XVIII.

Expedition to Jajies' Island 231

CHAPTER XIX.

Attack on Moekis Island 244

CHAPTER XX.

Batteeies open on Sumtee 257

CHAPTER XXI.

Fort 'Wagner taken 271

CHAPTER XXII.

MoREis Island put in a State of Defence 283

CHAPTER XXIII.

Opeeations dueing the Wintee 296

CHAPTER XXIV.

Expedition to John's Island 310

CHAPTER XXV.

Regiment returns North, and is mustered out 323

Appendix . 337

PREFACE.

This volume contains the history of the One Hundred and

Fourth Pennsylvania Regiment.

When I re-entered the military service, in the fall of 1861, I be-

came possessed of two hobbies; one, that of writing the history of

my regiment, and the other, to have a monument erected to the

memory of those who might fall in action, or die of wounds or dis-

ease, which I hope to be able to carry out some time in the future.

The former has been accomplished in the following pages; while

nearly enough money has been raised to build the latter.

This work needs no apology. It contains no wonderful exploit;

but a simple narrative of the campaigns of the regiment, which has

been written without passion or prejudice, and with a sincere desire

to do justice to all. No doubt, many other regiments performed

more brilliant service; but none bore more faithful allegiance to

the great cause of the Constitution and the Union. In the qualities

that make good soldiers,—discipline, respect for superiors, perfection

in drill, cleanliness, steadiness under fire, freedom from pillage, and

manly endurance under all the trying vicissitudes of war—the men

of the 104th Pennsylvania regiment had no superiors. With this

preface, the work is given to the public.

W. W. H. Davis.

Doylestown, Pa., October 1st, 1866.

THE

ONE HUNDRED AND FOURTH

PENNSYLVANIA REGIMENT.

CHAPTER I.

Authority to raise a Eegiment.—Commence to Recruit.—Union Meetings.—Camp-gl'ound

Selected.—Recruits go into Camp.—Supplies Arrive.—Military Instruction.—Field

and Staff-ofiBcers Appointed.—Fun and Pets.—Excursions, to Danboro' and Harts-

ville.—Flag Presentation.—Visit of the Governor.—Death in Camp.—Contributions to

the Soldiers.—Female Nurses Selected.—Orders Arrive to go to Washington.—Strength

of Regiment.

ON the 21st of August, 1861, after my return home from the cam-

paign on the upper Potomac, I was authorized, by the Secretary

of War, to raise a regiment of infantry and a six-gun battery, to serve

for three years or during the war. The instructions given were of

the most liberal kind. I was authorized to form a camp of instruc-

tion at Doylestown, and the respective departments were directed to

furnish me with every thing necessary to equip and make the men

comfortable. The work of recruiting men commenced immediately.

The war-feeling ran high, and the disposition to sustain the govern-

ment against armed rebellion was universal. I issued an appeal to

the young men of the county to rally around the flag, and they re-

10 TIIE ONE HUNDRED AND FOURTH

sponded nobly to the call. A meetiDg was advertised to be held mthe court house, on Friday evening, the 30th instant, for the pur-

pose of raising recruits. It was well attended. After the object

of the meeting was stated, a roll was laid on the table, and the

young men present were requested to enrol their names. Before

the adjournment forty had volunteered. When it became known

that authority to raise a regiment in Bucks county had been granted

me, numerous applications for permission to raise companies or parts

of companies, were received. Many of these were from young men

who had already served under me three months, and had obtained

a little practical knowledge of the duties of a soldier. In less than

a week's time the roll of the first company was full, and I mustered

it into the service of the United States at Clemens' hall, the 6th of

September. Edward L. Rogers was appointed captain, and the

company called the " Young Guard." The business of recruiting

was carried on so briskly that in ten days four hundred men were

enrolled. I had several offers of companies from a distance, but re-

jected all but two, one from Reading and another from Philadel-

phia, as I desired to make mine a Bucks county regiment. Thewhole ten companies could have been raised in the county with the

greatest ease.

Recruiting the regiment created considerable excitement through-

out the county, and others than those who intended to enter the

service helped along the enterprise. Citizens of all parties tendered

their assistance, and kbored with a will. Public meetino-s werecalled in various parts of the county. Some of these were knownas "Union mass meetings" and others "War meetin<>s." Thevwere generally held in the open air, in a wood or grove and werpwell attended. The one which was holden near Addisville "

Northampton township, was the largest and most enthusiastic of tl

series. It was believed there were eight thousand people presp

a very large proportion being ladies. General Davis, of Bucks'

presided; and patriotic speeches were made by the honorable Wil-

PENNSYLVANIA REGIMENT. 11

Ham D. Kelley, Lewis C. Cassiday, esq., of Philadelphia, the reve-

rend Jacob Bellville, and George Lear, esq., of the county.

The place selected for the camp was the exhibition ground, half

a mile south-west of Doylestown. It was a pleasant location, and

combined several advantages. It was named " Camp Lacey," in

honor of the gallant brigadier general John Lacey, of Bucks

county, of the Revolutionary army. Camp and garrison equipage,

and quartermaster's and commissary stores, were on the ground by

the 12th of September. Tents were pitched for three hundred

men on the 14th, and by the 17th there were enough up to accommo-

date the whole regiment. Enlisted men began to arrive by the 13th.

That evening the train brought up a number of men for the battery,

and a detachment of recruits unassigned. They quartered at the

hotels for the night. The next morning a portion of captain Dun-

can's company came up from the eityj and before evening all who

had arrived were placed under canvas. - On the 15th, forty men of

captain Walter's company arrived from Reading. Camp duties

were now commenced, and a few simple regulations established to

govern those who were as yet unused to the harsher rules of the

service. There was difficulty at first in procuring blankets, on ac-

count of the great demand for the Army of the Potomac, and the men

suffered during the cold rains of September, but in a short time

an abundant supply was received. The tents were floored, and each

company had a little frame kitchen. The encampment was laid out

with regularity, and in accordance with the rules of the service.

Before the arrival of arms, guard duty was done with clubs.

Recruits poured in rapidly after the camp was established. By

the 24th of September there were six hundred men present, and

before the month had expired, the whole ten companies were in

camp. The quartermaster commenced issuing clothing on the 19th,

and by the following Saturday, the 21st, all the men were supplied

with a complete outfit, except drawers, caps, and overcoats, which

could not be procured until October. The uniform made a

13 THE ONE HUNDRED AND EOTJETH

wonderful change in the appearance of the men, and gave them at

once the characteristics of an organized body. The regiment was

supplied with flour from the borough mill, and the bread baked at

the bakery of Mr. Hahl, Doylestown. Beef was furnished on con-

tract by Messrs. Barber and Hoff, while the remainder of the com-

missary stores was brought from Philadelphia. While the regiment

was in camp, two hundred and fifty-four barrels of flour were con-

sumed. For the accommodation of the men, four refreshment stands

were established inside the grounds, allotted to the highest bidder,

the rent for which was placed in the regimental fund. The deputy

quartermaster general at Philadelphia furnished the quartermaster

with an army wagon and harness, and authorized him to purchase

two horses, with which he did the necessary hauling for the regi-

ment. The arms and equipments were received about the first of

October, and were distributed to the men on the 9th. The two

flank companies were armed with the rifle-musket, and the eight

battalion companies with the old smooth-bore. Many of these guns

were thirty and forty years old, and of various patterns. They were

only uniform in caliber. Now we were able to perform military

duty legitimately. However well a club may become a constable or

policeman, every instinct of a soldier rebels against beinc armed

with such a weapon. The men grasped their flre-locks with pleasure

and soon learned to handle them with ease and skill.

A strict and pretty thorough system of instruction was now es-

tablished in camp. The commissioned officers were formed into

squad and drilled two hours in the morning, who in turn drilled

their non-commissioned officers, and the latter drilled the Drivates

in squads of eight or twelve. By this system the men soon becamefamiliarized with the rudiments of the soldier's drill. I^ ,jy„ ^•

company drill was commenced and continued until they were o 1"

fied to be consolided as a regiment and exercised as a battalion «5

far as practicable the instruction was conveyed in a regular seri

of lessons, and the officers and men obtained a tolerable knowleds


of one branch before another was attempted. This course was con-

tinued the six weeks we lay in camp, and by means of it the regi-

ment was well grounded in all the essential movements and duties

that belong to the schools of the soldier, company and battalion.

But few, if any, regiments which entered the service in 1861, were

as well drilled before leaving their camp of instruction as the 104th.

The chaplain held religious services in camp daily, and on Sunday

there was preaching in morning and afternoon. The camp now be-

came a place of great resort. Large numbers of people visited it

daily, and some days the visitors numbered several thousand. They

came many miles. Independently of the feeling which prevailed

every where in favor of the volunteer movement, there was a great

desire among the people to see soldiers and witness their manoeuvres.

But few of the present generation had ever seen five hundred men

under arms at any one time in a body, and the sight was a novelty.

Visitors were not permitted in camp, on Sunday, before 3 o'clock

in the afternoon. At this time the law authorized each regiment

of infantry to have a band of twenty-one musicians, with .a leader-

The demand was so great that it was somewhat difficult to obtain a

good band ; but I engaged one at Emaus, Lehigh county, composed

of young Germans, which soon became quite skilled in playing. It

joined us on the 23rd of September and the members were mustered

into service the same day. Our numbers increased every day. On

the 25th of October the aggregate strength was a thousand and

seventy, officers and men, and ten days later it had risen to eleven

hundred and thirty-five. By this time the battery numbered about

a hundred and forty men. The 8th of October, the day of the

State election, polls were opened in camp, and the men voted for

candidates of their choice without let or hinderance.

At the proper time, I appointed the field and staff officers. I

ofiered the position of lieutenant colonel to my neighbor, George

Lear, esquire, who declined. It was next offered to captain John

W. Nields, of the 1st regiment Pennsylvania Keserves, then in the

14 THE ONE HUNDRED AND FOURTH

field, wlio accepted, and soon after reported for duty. Mr. Jobn

M. Gries, of Philadelphia, architect, was appointed major, and

lieutenant" Thompson H. Hart, adjutant. James D. Hendrie, a

lieutenant in the first company recruited, was appointed quarter-

master. The post of chaplain was tendered to the reverend Wil-

liam K. Gries, pastor of Saint Paul's Episcopal church, Doylee-

town and accepted. He immediately entered upon his duties, and

likewise was active and useful in the general work of recruit-

ing. Doctors William Allen Peck and William T. Robinson,

of Montgomery county, were assigned to the regiment as surgeon

and assistant surgeon. For sergeant major I had Edmund A.

Wallazz, of Philadelphia, a pupil of the renowned Stonewall Jack-

son, at the Lexington military academy, Virginia. He was partly

reared in the family of Edmund RuSin, who fired the first gun of

the rebellion, at Sumter, and afterward blew his brains out from

chagrin at the failure of the cause. With Robert Holmes, for

quartermaster, and James M. Rogers for commissary, sergeant, and

John Hargrave and Joseph Winner for principal musicians, the

organization of the staff was complete. The leader of the band was

John Z. Jobst, who received the pay of second lieutenant. It was

much the custom of the times to give regiments some name by which

they might be known independently of their number as designated

by the State.. I therefore selected the name of the gallant artil-

lery officer who was killed at the battle of Resaca de la Palma, and

called it the " Ringgold Regiment." The number, 10-ith, was not

given to it until some time after its organization.

Soldiers are fond of fun the world over, all the more, no doubt,

because they are debarred from the general pleasures of society and

so many of the sex confined in one body. Amusement was oro-anized

before the regiment, and the campaign of camp Lacey was as success-

ful in this respect as any the regiment afterward made in the field

The men soon collected about them a fine array of pets to cheer the

solitude of their tents. The affections of one company were lav.


ished upon a large Newfoundland dog, which stepped around the

company street with great pride ; another had a comic coon, to the

training of which the men devoted their leisure time. This little

animal went into the field with us, but its career was closed with that

of many of its admirers on the bloody field of Fair Oaks. A cat

was the pet of another company. It made the campaign of the

Peninsula on the knapsack of its owner—survived the famous re-

treat to the James, and died in peace in camp at Gloucester point

at the end of a year's service. The pleasures of music predomi-

nated, but it was more noted for diversity of tune and noise in exe-

cution than artistic skill. One could hear at any hour of the day

and until tattoo in the evening, as he walked through the camp, any

number of songs tuned in beautiful discord, embracing almost every

thing in the category of popular airs from "Carry me back to old

Virginny," to "Uncle Ned had no wool on the top of his head," &c.

One of the best jokes that took place in camp occurred at the

guard-house, and the hero of it was a private in company I, named

Wesley Peake. Upon one occasion he had indulged too freely in

bad whisky, and was sent to the guard-house for punishment. He

was sentenced to walk post with a placard on his back containing

the word "Drunk" in large letters. While thus expiating his of-

fence, a woman came in at the gate and was struck with the letters

on his back. She stopped to look at them, and tried hard to make

them out, but not being very well versed in English, she found her-

self at fault. She spelled the word- as far as the letter "u," but

could get no farther, and, after repeating it several times, she was

about to give up the task in despair. Peake overheard her trying to

decipher the rude, and not complimentary, inscription on his back,

and resolved to help her out to his own advantage. He said to her,

"Madam, the letters are d-r-u-m, and they spell drum.—I'm the

drum-major of the regiment." Not being particularly well versed

in military matters she accepted his explanation, and turned away

entirely satisfied.

16 THE ONE HUNDRED AND FOTJETH

The regiment made two excursions while encamped at Doyles-

town. The first to attend a Union mass meeting held in a grove near

Danborough, five miles from camp, on the 5th of October. It left

camp at noon, eight hundred strong, with the hand playing lively

airs, and marched up the turnpike to the place of meeting. The men

had not yet received their caps, but were otherwise in uniform, and

made a very handsome appearance; they were without arms and

equipments. The reception was cordial. We returned to camp at

sun-down covered with dust. The next day the major conducted

the men to the Neshaminy creek after divine service, where they

rid themselves of the dust of the march by bathing. On the 17th

the citizens of Hartsville and vicinity held a union festival, gotten

up partially on account of the regiment, and which it was cordially

invited to attend. We left camp at 8 o'clock and took the road by

Pebble hill and Bridge Valley. The appearance of the regiment

was very fine as it marched by the flank over the hills and through

the valleys. As the sun played upon the bright muskets and

shining equipments, it had the appearance, when viewed from a dis-

tance, of a huge serpent clad in glittering scales winding his waythrough the country. The field and staff were mounted, and the

baggage wagon accompanied us. At Jamison's corner we were metby a committee of fifty horsemen, headed by Mr. Kobert Beans,

with a beautiful banner, which came out to escort us to the place of

festival. We reached Hartsville about 11 o'clock, and were re-

ceived by the very large concourse of people with shouts of welcome.Arms were stacked in a large field in the rear of the hotel. Amplepreparation was made for the entertainment by the ladies, who werethe moving spirits in the feast. On the west side of the field eleventables, each forty-eight feet in length, were erected, covered withcloths of spotless white, and loaded with almost untold luxuriesand substantials, the contributions of some two hundred families ofthat vicinity. The hundred pounds of roast beef, veal, mutton, pigg

chickens and boiled ham, delicate white bread, and butter the color


of gold, the quantities of fresh pies and cakes, and numerous other

edibles were almost marvellous to behold. At 12 o'clock the regi-

ment was marched to dinner, each company occupying a single ta-

ble, where the men were bountifully helped to the inviting repast

prepared by the hand of affection and patriotism. After dinner a

meeting was organized in the field. The regiment was drawn up in

close order immediately in front of the stand. After a prayer, the

Kev. Jacob Bellville delivered a brief but eloquent address, in which

he thanked the soldiers in warm terms for their promptness in re-

sponding to the call of the country. Among those seated 'on the

stand were nine veterans of the war of 1812, men who had come

down from another generation to witness the martial scenes of the

present. We returned to camp before dark delighted with the trip,

bearing several baskets full of delicacies to the sick and others who

remained behind. The reception of the regiment, wherever it ap-

peared, was equal to an ovation. The citizens flocked to the side of

the road and cheered the men as they passed.

Soon after I commenced to raise the regiment, a few patriotic ladies

in the county put on foot the project of presenting it with a standard

of national colors, and a committee was appointed to collect money for

the purpose. The whole amount raised was one hundred and forty-

one dollars, of which seventy-five were collected in the borough of

Doylestown. The flag was made by the Messrs. Horstmann & Co.,

Philadelphia, of the best quality of silk, and of regulation size. On

the middle stripe were the words " Ringgold Regiment," beautifully

wrought in silver, with the number on the next stripe below. It

was presented to the regiment at the encampment, on the 21st of

October, in the presence of a large concourse of people. The num-

ber was estimated at five thousand, at least one half of whom were

ladies. A platform had been erected on the parade ground, and the

regiment was drawn up in front of^it under arms. The committee

of ladies having the matter in charge had invited the Rev. Jacob

Bellville to present the flag in the name of the fair donors. He de-

2

18 ONE HUNDRED AND FOURTH

livered an impressive discourse on the occasion. I received the

flag in the name of the regiment, and delivered it into the hands of

color-sergeant Laughlin, who was charged to preserve it as the ap-

ple of his eye.

The regiment received a second flag from the State. The Legis-

lature had made an appropriation for the purpose of purchasing a

stand of colors for each regiment of volunteers raised in Pennsylva-

nia, which the governor was authorized to deliver to them before

they took the field. Governor Curtin was invited to come to

Doylestown and present the flag to the One Hundred and Fourth

in person, which he promised to do, and the 21st of October was

the time fixed for the ceremony. In view of a visit from the execu-

tive of the State, a public meeting of citizens was held in the

court house, and a committee of fifteen, composed of men of both

political parties, was appointed to make the necessary arrangements

for a civic reception in connection with the military. The day was

one of the finest of the season. At an early hour the citizens of

Bucks and the neighboring counties came pouring into town until it

seemed that the entire population had made the occasion a o-rand

gala-day. The camp ground was fairly alive with visitors. Amono-

the soldiery all was bustle and preparation, and every thino- from

top to toe, was put in the most complete order. The governor andstafi' left Philadelphia in the morning train, and were met by a com-

mittee several miles down the road..The train came in at 11 o'clock

The right wing of the regiment was drawn up at the depot to re-

ceive him. When he stepped upon the platform arms were pre-

sented, the drums saluting and band playing "Hail to the Chief"

He was escorted to his quarters, at the Cowell house, through the

principal streets of the town. The troops were then marched backto camp for dinner. At 1 o'clock P. M., the governor and suite

and committee of arrangements, in carriages, were escorted bv the

military to the encampment. As on the former like occasion

platform was erected on the parade ground, in front of which was

PENNSYLVANIA KEGIMENT. 19

the regiment, and around them on every side the thousands who

had been attracted thither by the ceremony of the day. After the

band had played " Hail Columbia," the governor arose with the flag

in his hand, and delivered a patriotic speech to the people. Hethen handed the flag to me, which I accepted in the name of the

regiment, and delivered it to sergeant Slack, who had been chosen

to bear it. At the conclusion of the ceremony the citizens and mi-

litary loudly cheered the governor, the flag and the regiment.

When silence was restored, the Rev. Dr. Andrews, on behalf of the

Bucks County Bible society, presented to each officer and soldier a

copy of the New Testament. The regiment then broke into com-

panies and marched in review before the governor, after which he

was escorted back to the Cowell house. He returned to Philadel-

phia by the afternoon train.

The regiment lost the first man by death while it lay at camp

Lacey, and while there it also had the first blood drawn. Private

Joseph B. Smith, of company D, died of epilepsy, at the house of

Charles Selser, near the encampment. He was ill about a week.

His parents lived in Richland township, whither his body was ta-

ken for burial. The blood was drawn from the person of a private

of company A, in an attempt to run the guard under cover of dark-

ness. He was shot by a vigilant sentinel of the battery, but the

wound was not at all serious. On Sunday morning the 3rd of No-

vember, there was a baptismal ceremony in camp. Privates Mus-

selman, Godshall and Shelly, of company D, offered themselves as

candidates for baptism on profession of religion. A drum, covered

with a small American flag, was the improvised chancel around

which they knelt while the rite was administered.

The people of the county were liberal in furnishing the enlisted

men with articles necessary to their comfort. In various locali-

ties societies were organized for the purpose, which laid the

foundation of the future "Aid Societies," which did such effectual

work during the war. Contributions came in daily. Considerable


money was collected, which was expended in the purchase of useful

articles for them which the government did not supply, such

as towels, combs, warm gloves, etc. The surplus money from the

flag-fund was thus appropriated. Chaplain Gries received one hun-

dred and sixty-one dollars, which he laid out for rubber blankets,

and prayer-books stamped with the name of the regiment. Among-

the contributions was a well assorted field-library and case. Bishop

Stevens gave twenty-five dollars from his private purse for this

purpose. The people of Beading were liberal toward the men who

were enlisted in that town. Mrs. Catharine Price, a lady eighty

years old, presented me a pair of fine wool stockings, which she knit

with her own hands. In this, as in all other matters pertaining to

the soldier, the mothers and daughters of the county gave unmis-

takable evidence that their warmest affections went out toward those

who perilled life and limb for the Union. In this regard, the wo-

men of Bucks county were the equals of their sisters in other parts

of the country. While at Doylestown two female nurses for service

in the hospital, joined the regiment;—Mrs. Leedom and Miss Emi-

line Sibbitts, both of Buckingham township. One had a husband,

and the other a brother, in the ranks. They accompanied us to

Washington, and remained until we were ordered to take the field

in the spring. They rendered valuable service in nursin"- the sick

and assisting to prepare the dead for the grave. Their conduct was

such as to merit and receive the respect of both officers and menWhile we lay in camp several of the officers were presented with

handsome swords, by their friends. Upon one occasion the ceremony

took place in the Court House, where music and the smiles of wo-

men gave animation to the scene. An officer and several men weremarried on the eve of our departure, and left behind them weepino-

wives in the place of disconsolate sweet-hearts.

The days of camp Lacey were now numbered. Soon the soldiers

of the One Hundred and Fourth were to leave this pleasant nla

and the spot which had known them so long, would know manv f

PENNSYLVANIA REGIMENT, 21

them no more forever. When the governor was in Doylestown, I

received verbal instruction to hold the regiment in readiness to pro-

ceed to Washington, as soon as I received notice that transportation

was ready. Quartermaster Hendrie was sent to Philadelphia to

make the necessary arrangements with the roads over which we

must pass on our way to Washington, and upon his return he re-

ported that transportation would be ready on the 6th of November,

Wednesday. On Monday evening I received an order by telegraph,

from the governor, to proceed as soon as practicable to Washing-

ton. I announced the order at dress parade, Tuesday evening, and

directed the camp to be broken at daylight in the morning. It

was received with lively satisfaction, and after the parade was dis-

missed, the men made the camp echo with their shouts. Could

they have read the future, and foretold the deaths, wounds, disease

and hardships that were in store for them, they would have been

less boisterous in their gladness. The strength of the regiment

when we marched, was ten hundred and forty-nine, including the

battery.


CHAPTER II.

Regiment leaves Doylestown.—^Ride to Philadelphia.—Arrival at Washington.—Gro out to

camp.—Cold night.—Our location.—^Washington a great camp.—Brigade formed.—Re-

view of army of Potomac.—A grand scene.—Life in camp.—^Health of regiment.—Offi-

cers detailed to recruit.—Peter Wykoff.^Receive permission to build barracks.—

A

description.—On court martial.—Company savings.—^Reception at White House.—Move

into barracks.—Color guard appointed.

THE 6tli of November, 1861, was an eventful day in the lives of

the untried soldiers in camp Lacey. The reveille sounded at

Si o'clock, A. M., and by sun rise the tents were struck and the

baggage ready to be hauled down to the cars. In another hour the

regiment was in march to the station, where a train of twenty-five

cars stood ready on the track to receive it. Without unneces-

sary delay the men and baggage were put aboard. Notwithstand-

ing the early hour a large number of people had come in from the

surrounding country to witness the departure of the regiment and

bid a last farewell to their friends. In many cases the parting was

affecting in the extreme, and with a large number of the men the

greeting with the loved ones left behind was the last on earth. Alittle after 7 o'clock the great locomotive Cheltenham stretched its

traces and the train moved off amid the plaudits of the multitude.

The day was made unpleasant by a drizzling rain. The regiment

was saluted with cheers at every station, cross-road and farm house

on the line between Doylestown and Philadelphia, which were an-

swered by returning shouts from the men and music by the band.


Disembarking at Master street, we marclied down Fourth street to

the Volunteer Refreshment Saloon. The march through the city

was a continued welcome. The street was every where crowded with

citizens; and while the men made the welkin ring with their shouts

below, the ladies waved their handkerchiefs, and smiled down their

greetings from the windows above. We dined at the Saloon ; the

ladies and gentlemen who managed it waiting upon us with a grace

and politeness that greatly increased the pleasure of eating. Thence

we marched up Washington street to the Baltimore depot, where at

4J o'clock, P. M., we took the ears for Washington. The night

was cold and raining, but the weather cleared before morning. Wereached Baltimore before daylight, and marched through the streets

of the monumental city while its inhabitants slumbered. The music

of the band now and then brought a drowsy waker in night cap and

gown to the window to see whence came all the noise that disturbed

their slumbers. At the Camden street depot we found a train ready

to convey us to the Federal capital. One more start and a six

hours' ride and we were landed in Washington, almost under the

shadow of the dome of the marble senate house. Along side the

depot was a " Soldiers' Rest," where the regiment got dinner. Wewere immediately reported to general Casey, who received all

the new troops on their arrival and assigned them to camping

ground. It was nearly sun down when I received an order to march

the regiment to Kalorama heights, on the western border of the

city and go into camp. A guide was sent to point out the way. It

was some time after dark when wo reached the ground. As the

baggage did not arrive until much later, we did not wait for the

tents, but bivouacked on the cold ground wrapped in our blankets.

The cold was so severe that water froze in the canteens.

The return of daylight enabled us to determine our location

—

just back of Georgetown, and before the war one of the loveliest

spots in the vicinity of Washington. About t^n acres of cleared

land lay contiguous to a beautiful grove that bounded it on two


sides, and the other two sides were skirted by a copse of bushes

with a few large trees intermingled, and a straggling fringe of small-

er trees that completed the circuit until they joined the woodland

again. An abundance of clear spring water was close at hand.

The situation was high, overlooking the city and the Potomac river

in the distance.

"We arose at sunrise stiffened and chilled with the cold; but the

sun soon put warmth and animation into our bodies. We went to

work immediately. The camp ground was laid out and cleared off)

and the tents pitched with regularity and precision. They were

placed on a ridge which shed the water in opposite directions. The

hospital tents were pitched in the edge of the timber on the left of

the encampment, and the medical officers made comfortable arrange-

ments to accommodate the sick. The battery encamped on the

right of the regiment within the chain of sentinels. A week after-

ward it was detatched and sent to the artillery camp and never

rejoined us. A few days after our arrival, Mr. Lewis B. Scott, whohad been appointed sutler, arrived with a stock of goods, which he

opened in camp for the accommodation of officers and men. Arigid system of drills and camp duty was established at once and

continued while we remained in camp. There were drills morning

and afternoon six days in the week and inspection on Sunday whenthe weather permitted.

At this period Washington and the country for several miles

around was one vast camp. The proclamation of the President call-

ing for five hundred thousand men met a hearty response in the

North and the loyal youth of the country literally flocked to the

capital. They came in regiments, but were generally an unorgan-

ized mass of brave and true-hearted men. The defeat at Bull Runleft Washington almost defenceless. When general McGlellan ar-

rived and assumed command, the 26th of July, the force stationed

there hardly deserved the name of an army. The three monthsregiments were being rapidly mustered out, while those that remain-

PENNSTIVANIA REGIMENT. 25

ed, were yet too much demoralized by recent defeat to be of much

service. The defensive works were improperly located, and imper-

fectly constructed, and the troops were not placed in advantageous

positions. The new commander devoted all his time and energies

to reorganizing the army and completing the fortifications. Gra-

dually the task was accomplished; the new levies were transformed

into well-drilled soldiers, and the forts so far completed that the

federal capital was considered safe from attack. When this was

done the nation took new hope. By the last of December the army

of the Potomac numbered one hundred and eighty thousand men.

The great bulk of it occupied the south bank of the river, extending

from about Drainsville to some distance below Alexandria. Weheld undisputed possession of the north bank, but the major part of

the troops on this side was between Ball's bluff and Budd's ferry.

One could not fail to notice the great change in the appearance

of Washington since the good old times of peace had been usurped

by a state of war. Warlike preparations were seen every where.

Tents were pitched on all the plains and hill-sides, and troops were

seen drilling on every hand. Long trains of ammunition, commis-

sariat, and baggage wagons, travelled the streets and roads ; officers

in gay uniforms ; mounted orderlies bearing dispatches to and from

the outposts ; soldiers lounging about off duty; and regiments

newly arriving and marching to camp. Here comes a squadron of

cavalry, with gingling sabres and prancing horses, escorting the

General in Chief on his return from a visit to the defences ; there

a battery of artillery rumbling through the streets; next heavy guns

on their way to the fortifications on the Virginia side of the river.

These were the daily and hourly scenes of war-like preparations

going on about Washington any time during the fall of 1861 or the

winter of 1862. How marked the contrast!

On the 11th of November the 104th and 52nd Pennsylvania, the

56th New York, and the 11th Maine regiments were organized into

a Provisional brigade, of which I was placed in command as the


senior colonel. The increased duty and responsibility gave me

neitlier additional pay nor rank, but the order conferred on me the

high-sounding title of " Provisional Brigadier G-eneral." A few

days afterwards the same regiments were organized into a permanent

brigade by general McClellan, and I was continued in command.

I was now glad to drop the bombastic "Provisional" and to com-

mand by virtue of my rank as colonel. A modest substance is

always to be preferred to a grander shadow.

On the 20th instant the first grand review of the army of the

Potomac was held on the Virginia side of the river, about ten miles

from the city, between Munson's hill and Bailey's cross roads. The

spot selected was a basin-like plain encircled by a rim of hills of

moderate elevation, and about a mile in diameter. The fences had

been pulled down, the ditches filled up and banks levelled, that there

might be no obstructions to the movements of the troops. There

were nearly a hundred thousand well-drilled and well-disciplined

troops present, consisting of infantry, artillery, and cavalry, with one

hundred pieces of cannon. I obtained a pass and rode out to the

field. The concourse of people that thronged the road, in carriages,

on horse-back and afoot, was so great that I had some difficulty in

getting there. As each one was determined to arrive as quickly as

possible there was actual danger from the rush of carriages and

horses. When I reached the ground the army was already in posi-

tion. As I passed down the slope in front of Munson's hill and

looked upon the martial array before me it struck me as grander

than any thing I had ever seen in all my life before. The troops

were drawn up in two lines of battalion masses and swept nearly

around two thirds of the circumference of the plain. Where I then

was the whole army was under my eye without changing my po-

sition, and the spectacle was by all odds the finest military display

that had ever been seen in America. I doubt whether, during the

whole war, so many troops were seen at a single glance as on that

occasion. The review was announced to begin at 11 o'clock, but it


did not take place until two hours later. The signal was the firing

of a single cannon. General McClellan, accompanied by the Presi-

dent and attended by a numerous and brilliant staff, passed along

the front and rear of each regiment, the men standing at "Present

arms," the officers saluting and the bands playing. After he had

thus reviewed the whole army, he took a position near a large tree

to receive the marching salute as they passed in review. I was

temporarily attached to the staff of my division commander, and

with him, formed part of the suite of the General in Chief Thus

I had an opportunity to see every thing, and observed it well. The

army commenced to march in review about 1 J o'clock, and for seve-

ral hours continued to sweep by their general in all the pomp and

circumstance of war. The regiments marched by division front,

.closed in mass, mounted officers alone saluting. The music from

a hundred bands and the shouts of the soldiery cheering their

beloved chieftain fairly made the Virginia hills resound. I left the

ground at 4 o'clock when thousands were yet to pass. During all

these hours the young General in Chief sat on his horse beside

the President, patient and unmoved. The troops every where receiv-

ed him with great enthusiasm, evidence of the strong hold he had

upon their affections. As I passed through the country going and

returning I was struck with the wide-spread desolation that prevail-

ed, and the general destruction a few months of war had made. It

was almost as destitute of inhabitants as though it had never been

peopled. The houses had been pulled down; fences burned; barns

relieved of their contents and then destroyed; and mills gutted.

The country presented a sad but truthful picture of the desolating

effects of war.

The reader must not be disappointed in finding so few things of

interest transpiring during the winter we passed at Washington.

The duty was simply routine, to prepare the troops for the field in

the spring, and none of the stirring events of war marked that por-

tion of our history. The regiment was not exempt from any of the

28 ONE HUNDKED AND FOURTH

calamities that are sure to wait on fresh troops in camp. The

beginning of December both the small-pox and the typhoid fever

made their appearance. At first they created a little panic, but it

soon subsided. The former disease was, no doubt, contracted from

the eruptive hospital situated within a few hundred yards of the

camp, and whither I had to send a small guard every morning.

Immediate measures were taken to prevent the spread of these dis-

eases. The whole regiment was vaccinated, and the most thorough

system of policing was established. The tents were frequently

struck, and the leaves and other rubbish that had collected in them

burned, while the ground was well fumigated and cleansed. The

blankets and clothing were hung out to air daily. A hospital for

small-pos patients was established in the woods several hundred

yards from camp. These precautionary measures, and the sudden

change in the weather, prevented the disease spreading to any great

extent, although it had a lingering existence among us until spring.

In all there were thirty cases in four months, and one death. But

two officers, captain Orem and lieutenant Kephart, took the disease

but both recovered. The typhoid fever was of an equally mild char-

acter, with only a few bad cases. Three officers, lieutenants Heany,

Hinkle, and McDowell were attacked with it, the two former very se-

verely. Notwithstanding these two diseases made "their appearance

the regiment was in a very healthy condition the whole winter. Fromthe 15th of November until the 13th of December, twenty-nine

days, the average number of sick, both in camp and hospital was

but twenty-five. This is a small per-centage in the aggreo-ate num-ber of nine hundred men present. At this period there was a

remarkable contrast in the health of the different regiments of the

brigade. On the 19th of December the surgeon's report showed

but twenty men of the 104th on the sick list, while on the sameday the 11th Maine had two hundred and sixteen sick- the 52ndPennsylvania one hundred and forty, and the 56th New York one

hundred and twenty. There was no visible cause for this great

difference in point of health.


The last of November captain Harvey, lieutenant Albertson, and

sergeants O'Connell and Dyer were detailed on recruiting service,

and immediately started tome and opened recruiting offices in the

county. Later in the season the number was increased by the addi-

tion of sergeant White, corporal Lehnen, and privates Smith and

Cadwallader. Lieutenant Hinkle, who went home on sick leave,

relieved lieutenant Albertson. The wliole detail was relieved the

beginning of May and rejoined the regiment on the Peninsula. In

that time seventy odd men were recruited, of whom sixty-three

joined the regiment at Washington and three after it had left. Afew were rejected because of disability and two or three deserted.

Companies H. and I. not being yet full, most of the recruits were

assigned to them to fill them up. One of these men had such a

talent for running away that it is worth while to mention him. His

name was Peter Wykoff,^and I believe was a Jerseyman. He

was recruited by captain Harvey in January, 1862. He was sent

to the regiment and detailed as clerk and nurse in the brigade hos-

pital. He won the confidence of the men, and they intrusted con-

siderable money to him for safe keeping. Watching his opportunity,

he deserted and went to Allentown, New Jersey, where he located

himself as a school teacher. Captain Harvey hearing of him sent

an officer there, who arrested and brought him to Doylestown. He

escaped on his way to Harrisburg and returned to Allentown. He

was again arrested and sent to Harrisburg under guard. Before

he reached the regiment he deserted the third time, and was gone

several months before he was heard of. In February, 1862, lieute-

nant McCoy saw him one evening in Chestnut street, Philadelphia,

followed him to a concert room, and had him arrested and sent to

Fort Delaware. We never heard of him afterward.

The regiment was paid for the first time the 4th and 5th of De-

cember, down to the 31st of October. I have no means of knowing

with entire accuracy how much money the men sent home to their

fiimilies, but believe it was about ten thousand dollars. Thirty-

30 ONE HTJiSTDRED AND TOURTH

eigtt hundred dollars of this amount was sent to the Doylestown

bank to be paid on checks.

As cold weather approached, and it became evident that the. army

must spend the winter in Washington, I determined, if possible, to

have my brigade under cover. The 5th United States cavalry were

building barracks for themselves near our camp, and I could see no

reason why regulars should be more comfortable than volunteers.

A simple calculation convinced me that it was more economical to

put troops in board huts for the winter, than keep them in tents.

I broached the matter to general Casey, who requested me to place

it on paper, with plans for the buildings and estimates for materials.

The plan I fixed upon was that of a Mexican town, the huts to be

built around a large open court yard, or plaza, each regiment to

occupy one side of the square. In the matter of estimates I availed

myself of the experience of major Grries, an architect, and lieutenant

Carver, a practical builder. I requested to be furnished with the

necessary materials and tools and pledged the men to do all the

work. General McClellan approved the plan and ordered the quar-

termaster to issue the requisite amount of lumber and other mate-

rials upon proper requisition.

I selected Meridian Hill, on Fourteenth street, immediately in the

rear of Columbia college, as the site for the barracks. It was two

miles from Washington, and a healthy location. They were built

around a court yard seven hundred feet square. Each company

hut was eighty feet long, sixteen wide and twelve high, with the

end to the square. The roof had the ordinary pitch, was covered

with felt and pitched, with projecting gable and eaves, to improve

the finish. In front was a room partitioned off for the commission-

ed, and a similar one in the rear for the non-commissioned, oflScers.

Bunks were put up, and windows and doors enough for light and

ventilation. In the rear of each hut was a convenient cook-house.

Each regiment occupied ten company huts, one for the field and

staff, and another for the non-commissioned staff and band. A hut

PENNSYLVANIA EEGIMENT. 31

of equal size was erected on the nortli side for the accommodation

of brigade head quarters. One row of huts was on the east side

of Fourteenth street which ran through the barrack yard. Before

the work was commenced each regiment was assigned its side of the

square, and carpenters detailed to build the huts. Guard houses

were erected at the north-west and south east angles. The barracks

consumed a million feet of lumber. The 104th commenced work

the 5th of December, and the regiment occupied its huts on Christ-

mas day. Sergeant Mattis was detailed to attend to the delivery of

the lumber and other materials. The erection of the quarters was

superintended by lieutenant Carver, and after him the establish-

ment was called " Carver Barracks." When we vacated them in

the spring the government fitted them up for a general hospital, for

which they were well adapted, with a slight alteration. They were

then called " Carver General Hospital." How easily was the name

of an unknown lieutenant made historic !

In addition to other duties, I was detailed on general court mar-

tial the 5th of December, which continued in session for about sixty

days. It was composed of five general officers and eight colonels,

with general Casey as President. The first case tried was that of

colonel Kerrigan, 25th New York volunteers, on the charge of

holding intercourse with the enemy. He was ably defended by

judge Hearne and the honorable Eeverdy Johnson, and acquitted

of the most serious charge, but convicted of other offences that jus-

tified his dismissal from the service. While the court was in session,

the members were obliged to be present daily, in spite of mud and

rain, some of them riding several miles from the Virginia side of

the river.

One of the lessons I endeavored early to instil into the regiment,

was that of economy in all things, in which, with the assistance of

the officers, it achieved a commendable success. The order from

general McClellan placing volunteer troops on the same footing with

regulars, as regarded company savings, had a beneficial influence in

32 OME HUNDRED AND FOURTH

teaching economy to the enlisted men. The order provided that

the rations drawn, but not consumed, as well as those undrawn, and

to which the troops were entitled, should be purchased by the sub-

sistence department for cash, which was to be applied to the forma-

tion of a company fund for the purchase of extra articles for the

men. Under this system the men had a direct interest in econo-

mizing, because they knew that every dollar's worth of rations saved,

came back to them in money to purchase other and more desirable

articles. It was also an advantage to the government, for it saved

the cost of transportation on every pound of pork or beef, coflfee,

sugar or hard tack that was bought of the troops. Subsistence

officers sometimes refused to pay company savings, but an appeal to

the chief of that bureau always set the subordinate right. In De-

cember the 104th made considerable savings, how much in the ag-

gregate I have no means of telling; but I know that those of com-

pany A for that month were |117,54. The entire savings of the

ten companies for January, 1862, were ^GG5,55, of which company

E had $105,26, or nearly one-sixth of the whole amount. The re-

gulations also recognized and allowed regimental savings, which are

a saving in flour where regiments bake their own bread. In such

cases the saving was about thirty-three per cent., which went into

the regimental fund. Regiments very seldom baked their own bread

in the field, but where stationed at a post for any length of time

bakeries were generally erected.

War, with its attendant miseries, was not allowed to trench on

the gayeties of "Washington city. The levees at the White House

were held as in the most peaceful times. I attended the first of the

season, the 19th of December. A crowd was present, composed

principally of officers of the army, among whom was general McClel-

lan, with his wife. Mrs. Lincoln did the honors of the evenin"-.

The newspaper correspondents pronounced it a success. They were

correct in their estimation of the evening, if to achieve success it

requires a great crowd, squeezing and pushing, smashing of hoops


and treading on tender dresses, all sorts of people in all sorts of cos-

tumes, and homely women with sharp shoulder-blades and low-neckeil

dresses. The levee was all this. There was a marked disregard of

form and ceremony, and the etiquette of the occasion was simple

enough to satisfy the straightest republican. The most pleasant fea-

ture of the evening was the Marine band stationed in a vestibule,

which played delightful music. It was made very appjirent to my

mind, that the President is the servant of the people, and thj^t the

house he lives in belongs to them.

We broke camp at Kalorama Christmas morning, and before eve-

ning the regiment, with its baggage, pets, etc., was housed in theoew

.barracks. Officers and men soon adapted themselves to the changed

mode of living, and learned to be more comfortable under tight

boards and felt roofs than canvass. The huts were whitewashed,

which vastly improved their appearance. The quarters of the offi-

cers were generally papered with wall-paper, while those of the men

were covered with Harper's Weekly and other pictorials, which pre-

sented them with an illustrated history of the rebellion as far as it

had progressed. Contributions from home enabled many of the

men to add a few delicacies to the government ration. A plump

turkey, a present from a lady of Bucks county, graced the table .of

the commanding officer at Christmas dinner. By about the middle

of January the whole brigade was in quarters.

We passed a quiet New Year's day. Many of the regiments

across the river had a gay and happy time. In some of the camps

the demonstration began the night before by the firing of cannon

and small arms. The German regiments were the merriest. Their

camps were handsomely decked in evergreens, and lager flowed in

inviting streams. On the Washington side there was more quiet-

ness. In the city, according to a time-honored custom, the officers

of the army,,in full uniform, p^aid their respects to the President;

and afterward the foreign ministers and their wives made their ac-

customed visit of ceremony to the Executive. The first death in

3

34 ONE HUNDRED AND FOUKTH

the regiment, after our arrival at Washington, was private Tunis

K. Smith, of company C, who died of small-pox. When I came to

appoint a permanent color-guard for the regiment, twenty-seven non-

commissioned officers volunteered for this dangerous and honorable

duty. The eight selected, were corporals Widdifield, McGraudy,

Tyson, Bridegroom, Lex, Carter, Purcell and Nicholas, who always

stood by their colors, as their wounds will testify. The forepart of

January, lieutenant Holmes was appointed acting brigade commis-

sary of subsistence by general Casey. The commissary general was

so much pleased with the manner la which he discharged the duties,

that he recommended his appointment as commissary of subsistence,

with the rank of captain, which was made. He was confirmed by

the Senate, and served to the end of the war in this capacity. He

entered the regiment as private, and was promoted to a lieutenancy

before we left camp Lacey. While the regiment was in camp at

Doylestown, orderly sergeant Schindle, of company A, was appointed

a second lieutenant in the 6th regiment, United States army, but

did not leave us until the 104th reached Washington. He served

through the war with great credit. Soon after we reached Wash-

ington, I appointed Chapman Carver, company B, my orderly, in

which position he served through his term of three years with great

fidelity.


CHAPTER III.

tJnpleaflant winter.—Brigade hospital established.—Regiment newly armed.—Recruits for

gunboat service.—Whisky.—General Stone.—News of fort Donaldson's surrender.—Ge-

neral Lander's funeral.—101th the escort.—Brigade drills.—Dress parades.—Corporal

Everett baptized.—Marching orders.—Countermanded.—Our division.—We march for

the Peninsula.—Bivouac at Alexandria.—We embark for Fortress Monroe.

INsome respects the winter of 1861 and '62 was the most unplea-

sant that had been known at Washington city for many years.

It was mild in temperature, and wet, and almost the whole country

in the vicinity of the army was reduced to a state of mud. The

roads were in such condition, that at times travel was almost im-

peded. Some days it took six mules to draw an empty wagon out

Fourteenth street and up Meridian hill. It was with difficulty my

command could be supplied with rations and fuel. The troops in

the distant camps were sometimes in want of supplies. Notwith-

standing the bad weather and terrible condition of the roads, we

spent a pleasant winter. Several of the officers, and some of the

men, had their wives with them to cheer up the dulness of the time

passed in barracks. The bad weather was against the drill and

discipline of the army. For weeks at a time there was no drilling.

Our barracks yard became almost a sea of mud, and for a week or

two at a stretch we could not even have dress parade. During the

winter a number of visitors, from Pennsylvania, came to see their

friends and relatives in the regiment, who generally brought, with

them some delicacy or luxury to add to the soldier's larder.

36 ONE HUNDRED AND FOUKTH

After some little delay, the country house of Mr. Stone, near the

barracks, was rented for a brigade hospital, and early in January it

was fitted up for the reception of patients. It was at first put in

charge of Surgeon Peck, of the 104th, and privates Nice and Rush

were detailed as nurses. The sick had better accommodations, and

more care taken of them, than in their regimental hospitals. The

beginning of January, lieutenant McCoy was appointed division

ordnance ofiicer on the stafi' of general Casey, in which capacity he

served during the campaign on the Peninsula. He then for a time

was regimental quartermaster; was afterward appointed acting aide-

de-camp on the staiF of the brigade commander, in which capacity,

and as acting-assistant adjutant general, he served the balance of

his term. He was a good ofl&cer, and reliable in the discharge of

all his duties. He died the year following his discharge from ser-

vice. During the winter, companies G and I were detached a short

time from the regiment and placed on duty at the Soldiers' Rest, in

the city, to guard some returned pr'isoners of war, tintil they could

be distributed to their homes. About this time the regiment was

newly armed. The muskets they had been furnished with at camp

Lacey were pronounced unfit for service, on close inspection, and

application was made for new arms. It was now armed with the

Austrian rifle, a rough, but good and reliable arm, which the men

carried the remainder of their three years. On the 5th of February

a flag-stafi', seventy-five feet high, was erected in the middle of the

barracks yard, and the first clear evening afterward, the stars and

stripes were run up and unfurled amid the cheers of the troops and

the music of the bands playing the "Star-Spangled Banner" in

•eoneert.

About this time a flag of truce was received from the rebel com-

mander at Manasses, which caused considerable speculation in mili-

tary circles. Colonel Harrison, of the second Virginia cavalry came

to our lines Sunday night, the 1st of February, and announced to

the ofloicer in charge of the pickets, that he had a communication

PENNSYLVANIA REGIMBNT. 37

from general Johnston to general McClellan. After the usual

forms had been gone through with, he was conducted to the quar-

ters of general McDowell, at Arlington Heights. His communica-

tion was forwarded to the head quarters of the army at Washington.

The contents were deemed of sufficient importance for a cabinet meet-

ing to be called to consider them, but their nature never transpired

beyond confidential official circles. No doubt the secrecy maintained

about them, was the reason of the speculation.

In organizing the gunboat service on the Mississippi and its tri-

butaries, there was great need of sailors to man the boats, and de-

tails had to be made from the army to make up the deficiency.

Several hundred were sent from the army of the Potomac. The

detail from my brigade was one man from each company, those who

had previously been sailors or watermen, preferred. The 104th

furnished ten, viz., sergeant Darling, and privates Brierly, Wyn-

koop, Smith, Tomah, Saylor, Garner, Gay, Hogeland, and Hawk.

The order was received the 18th of February, and the men selected

were to be ready to go the next morning. It created considerable

excitement. A'"olunteers were called for, and the requisite number

soon made up. Those who offered largely exceeded the number

required, and so anxious were the men to go on this honorable and

dangerous duty, that some of those who had been accepted were

offered premiums as high as fifty dollars for their places. The re-

giment also furnished two commissioned officers, lieutenants Kephart

and Gxoff, to assist in conducting the entire detail to Cairo, Illinois,

the place of rendezvous. They left the barracks the next morning

in a violent rain storm, and amid the cheers of their late companions.

These men never rejoined the regiment, but finished their enlist-

ment in the gunboat service on the Mound City. They were in

numerous engagements on the Western rivers, and expeaienoed

much vicissitude of hardship and danger. Wynkoop, Gay and Say-

lor were killed by an explosion of the Mound City while in action,

on the White river, in Arkansas, June, 1862. A shell from the

38 ONE HCNDKED AND FOURTH

enemy penetrated the steam-chest. Sergeant Darling died of disease

in the hospital, the following November.

Whisky was the most troublesome enemy the army had to fight

during the winter. The proprietors of groggeries were almost le-

gion in number, and were found located on every side. Through

the instrumentality of "red eye" and "tribulated tanglefoot," many

a good fellow was brought to grief. Armed parties were now and

then sent out to put an end to these intolerable nuisances in the

vicinity of the camps, and not unfrequently the barrels and kegs

were rolled out of the shanties, and the contents turned into the

gutter. I was told, that on one occasion the officer in charge of the

party detected some tin-cans of whisky protected by the enormous

hoops of a woman, who stood over them in the middle of the room.

When she saw that she was detected, she exclaimed, almost with

tears in her eyes: "Ah, dear captain, you are not going to take away

the livin' of a poor lone woman, with six small children, and three

of them blind!" The pathetic appeal had no effect on the hard-

hearted officer, who emptied the contents of the cans into the street.

Friends at home sometimes sent the men whisky in boxes that con-

tained pies and cakes. To break up the practice, all boxes were

ordered to be opened and searched in the presence of an officer be-

fore delivery to the owner. But the most watchful care could not

entirely prevent whisky being smuggled into barracks. One day

a private in company D, received a box, which was duly inspected

by an officer and pronounced all right, and turned over to the owner.

He had no sooner received it, than he cut open a loaf of bread, and

took therefrom a square tin-box filled with whisky. Parents were

even known to send whisky to their children in this clandestine

way, and sometimes got them into trouble.

No event during the winter created more surprise in Washington

than the arrest of general Stone and his confinement in fort Warren

Boston harbor, where he was imprisoned fifteen months. No other

charge was ever made against him than the sweeping one of " disloyal


ty," whicli no one believed wlio knew Charles P. Stone. Wasliing-

ton was his home, and there he was popular as an oflficer and a gen-

tleman. When the troubles broke out no man was more active than

he in raising troops to sustain the government, and none had been

more faithful and zealous in the iield. He was never brought to

trial, but at the end of a year and a quarter he was discharged and

ordered to report to general Banks for duty. Such treatment was

cruel in the extreme. I served under him in the summer of 1861

,

on the upper Potomac, and formed a high estimate of his soldierly

qualities.

The news of the surrender of fort Donaldson created the most

lively joy throughout the army of the Potomac and the citizens of

the federal capital generally. It came at a time when there was

great gloom in the country, caused by previous reverses, and it was

one of the first clouds with a silver lining that appeared in the hor-

izon. There were hilarious' rejoicing at the barracks, in which both

officers and men participated. Information of this important victo-

ry reached us about the middle of the afternoon, and soon after-

ward Regan's battery came into the barracks yard and fired a nation-

al salute. The reins of discipline were somewhat loosened and the

soldiers were allowed to give vent to their patriotic impulses in their

own way. In the evening the barracks were handsomely illumi-

nated, and the men indulged in bon-fires, torch-light processions

and transparencies. The regimental bands made the air vocal with

their patriotic strains, and in response to serenades a few patriotic

speeches were made. Our readers will remember how much the

victories of Drainsville. Mill Spring and Donaldson cheered the

popular heart during that dreary winter. On the few pleasant days

the winter furnished we generally had visitors from Washington, or

strangers from a distance, who came to view the army. Our ex-

tensive barracks were then considered worth seeing, as there was

nothing like them in the country. Among the distinguished per-

sons who visited us was Mr. Hawthorne, the author, in company


vt'ith a party of ladies from Boston. We also had a visit from Miss'

Kate Dean, who visited the army of the Potomac on a joint mission

of patriotism and money making'. She sang several popular airs

for the men of the 104th from the door of brigade head quarters, but

her lip-service had to be paid for at the rate of about ten dollars

the song. Nevertheless they were a pleasant change to the dulness

of winter quarters.

The funeral obsequies of general Lander, who died at 'Winches-

ter, Virginia, the 1st of March, were celebrated in WashiDgton on

the 6th instant. The pageant was solemn and attractive. The

troops selected for the escort were the 104th rennsylvania regi-

ment, a section of Tidball's regular artillery, and a company of

Rush's lancers, the whole being placed under the command of the

writer. One regiment of the brigade, the 11th Maine, was detailed

to march in the procession with side arms. The body was at the

house of Mr. Chase, whence it was escorted to the church of the

Epiphany, where impressive religious services were held. Most of

the dignitaries of the government, civil and military, were present,

with a large number of friends and strangers. From the church

the remains were escorted through the city to the Baltimore depot,

where they were put on board the cars for Salem, Massachusetts,

his native place. They were accompanied by a guard of honor,

composed of commissioned officers, and a small detail from his corps

of favorite sharp-shooter.s. Captain Rogers and W. W. Marple

were among the officers sent with the remains. On that occasion I

felt more than usual pride in the appearance and performance of

the 104th. The men appeared to fine advantage. With full ranks

and martial bearing, bright arms, clean uniforms and equipments

and white gloves, they attracted great attention. Their march up

Pennsylvania avenue, in column by company, with the band playin"-

a solemn dirge, I do not believe was ever excelled, hardly equalled

in the streets of Washington, at least by volunteer troops.

March brought more pleasant weather. The mud now be^faa to


dry up, and a few days of warm sun upon it made the ground dry

enough to drill upon. la the simple matter of drill, the troops

were hardly as efficient as they were when they weat into barracks.

But the winter had not been passed entirely without profit. In the

intervals of mud. when the ground was hard enough, there was oc-

casional target practice. Two or three times a week the officers

recited tactics, going through the various schools, and explaining

the movements on the black board. The field officers also held

weekly meetings to recite, discuss and explain movements of the

line. Our drill ground was on what had been the old Washington

race course, out Fourteenth street, just beyond Columbia college,

and within a few hundred yards of the barracks. As soon as the

ground was dry enough the brigade drill was commenced and con-

tinued twice a day, when not engaged in other duties, until the

army took the field. Casey's tactics had recently been adopted

for the use of the army, and mine was the first brigade to drill in

accordance to his system, which was an improvement over those

heretofore in use in the service. I am vain enough to believe that

the ceremony of dress parade, as performed by the brigade about

this time, was not excelled by any similar body of troops around

"Washington. The four regiments in barracks were drawn up for

parade in the square in front of their respective quarters, and went

through the difierent parts of the ceremony in concert at a signal

given on the bugle. The men were in full uniform, and clean, and

the bands played charming music. The display attracted a number

of visitors, and at times several carriages, filled with ladies, were

congre . ated around the flag staff.

Chaplain Gries made himself useful during the winter. He held

religious services in-his own quarters every evening, and when the

weather permitted, preached on the parade ground on Sunday

morning. But one person was baptized at the barracks, corporal

David Everett, of company F, which took place the 10th of Feb-

ruary, in the presence of a large number of officers and men. He


was the first man who made a profession of religion after the regi-

ment left camp Laoey. He was equally a consistent Christian and

good soldier during his term of service. For the convenience of

officers and men, privates Barnhill and Shuman were detailed as

regimental cobblers, and set up in business. The officers sub-

scribed money to purchase an outfit, and while we remained in bar-

racks they did a thriving business. They lost their entire kit

during the campaigo on the Peninsula. From the time the regi-

ment reached Washington until it took the field, it lost, by death

and discharge, thirty-seven men. Of course, among the enlisted

men, there was an abundance of amusement and quiet fun. It is

related that on one occasion a captain in the regiment was making

complaints to quartermaster Hendrie, that the shoes furnished were

so enormously large, that he could get none small enough to fit his

men. The quartermaster-sergeant, a humorous fellow, was standing

b}"", who, after listening to the complaint of the captain, said to him,

"I tell you what to do, captain, put them on some small boy and let

them shrink awhile." We were not informed, however, whether

the expedient was resorted to. During the winter a general court-

martial, of which lieutenant Yardly was Judge Advocate, assembled

at the barracks for the trill of ofienders in the brigade, and such

others as might be brought before it, but I do not remember who,

if any, of the men of the 104th were arraigned.

On the 18th of March, Casey's division received an order to

march the nest morning at ten o'clock. It prescribed that the menwere to carry forty rounds of ammunition in their boxes, three

days cooked rations in their haversacks, and each commissioned

officer was permitted to take a small carpet-bag. A good manythings were to be done before the brigade would be in a condition

to march. The tents and surplus stores of all kinds, and bagga<^e

that could not be taken along, must be turned over to the respective

departments, or stored until they could be claimed. The men too

sick to march must be placed in hospital. In fine, everythin"- must


be disposed of in some manner, that we could not carry with us

into an enemy's country. The accumulations of the winter were

numerous, and a number of surplus articles were now found on hand

that we did not bring with us from home. The order was received

with great satisfaction by the men. The parade ground rang with

their shouts and boisterous mirth, which they kept up after it

was dark, with the addition of bon-fires. The reveille sounded a

little earlier than usual the next morning, and before the hour

named in the order had arrived, the brigade was under arms. The

division was composed of three brigades—the first commanded by

the writer, the second by general Palmer, and the third by general

Keim. It numbered fourteen regiments, several of which had just

reached Washington and received their arms, and were not in a

condition to take the field. The effective strength was about twelve

thousand men, with twenty-two pieces of cannon. Shortly before,

another regiment had been added to my brigade, the 100th New

York, colonel Brown, which made the efiective strength a little

rising four thousand men. Until v/e marched, they encamped on

Fourteenth street, opposite Columbia college. While we were

waiting for the call to "fall in," a mounted orderly came up with a

dispatch, announcing a suspension of the marching orders for the

present, as I afterwards learned because the transportation was not

ready. We returned to barracks, many down in the mouth because

the march was suspended, and relapsed again into our old routine.

It gave us the benefit of ten days more of drilling, before leaving

for the seat of war on the Peninsula.

The order to march, which all had been waiting for with so much

anxiety and impatience, came at last. Our division marched the

29th of March. The brigade had been out drilling all the morn-

ing, as we did not expect to receive the order that day, and the

regiments had been dismissed for dinner, and were returning to

their quarters, when an order was put into my hands for us to be

ready to march that afternoon at two o'clock. This created great


enthusiasm among tie troops, and in a momenfe all was hurry and

bustle to get ready. Dinner was swallowed in a twinkling, and the

small quantity of surplus baggage still on hand quickly disposed of.

The regiments, in full uniform, were in line soon after two, but the

wao-ons did not arrive until about four. At this hour we were

under arms, and at the bugle-signal from head-quarters, took up the

line of march down Fourteenth street, followed by the artillery and

baggage. The 104th led the division. As the troops marched

down this broad avenue to the sounds of martial music from nu-

merous bands, and the rays of the declining sun reflected back from

the glittering bayonets and polished equipments of twelve thousand

men, the spectacle was unusually fine. The men had put on their

best uniforms to march through the city, and appeared clean and

neat in every particular. A large crowd of persons had assembled

at Willard's, and along the street elsewhere, to witness our passage.

We continued down Fourteenth street to the Long bridge., which

we crossed, and passing the fortifications which cover it on the Vir-

ginia side, turned to the left into the road that leads to Alexandria.

We now marched more at leisure. The night was dark and chilly.

The men, weighed down with their loaded knapsacks, well-filled

haversacks and equipments, and unused to marching, soon became

wearied and began to straggle, which increased as we advanced.

We reached the outskirts of Alexandria about ten o'clock, and

bivouacked in an open field on the road side. The other two bri-

gades came in some time afterward, but it must have been long

after midnight before all had got into camp. The men lay down

along side the stacks of arms, wrapped in their blankets, but the

cold wind drove sleep away from almost every weary lid.

Transportation was not quite ready, and there was another wait-

ing spell. In the morning we changed our location, each brigade

by itself. In the absence of tents, the men made very respectable

shelter of their rubber blankets, which they buttoned together and

put upon a frame of sticks. The middle of the forenoon a cold


storm of rain and snow set in, which continued two days. In two

hours the camps were one expanse of slush, mud and water. The

change from the barracks was marked and sudden. Division head-

quarters were in a comfortable house in town, while brigade com-

manders, at least it was the case with myself, shared with the men

the discomfort of the field. That evening I was sitting in my cold

tent, looking out upon the dreary scene, and chewing the cud of

sweet and bitter fancies, when a tall and rather spare, but gentle-

manly, young officer, with captain's straps upon his shoulders, en-

tered and announced himself as aide-de-camp of general McClellan.

He inquired, in broken English, whether my brigade was ready to

embark, when, receiving an affirmative answer, with a polite bow

he withdrew. My visitor was the Duke de Chartres, the Bourbon

heir to the throne of France. The brigade was to embark the next

morning at six o'clock, on the steamer Constitution, for Fortress

Monroe. We were in line at four, and marched into town about day-

light to go aboard. The vessel was not yet ready, and the men had

to stand several hours in a drenching rain, with the mud shoe-top

deep. The whole five regiments were got on board during the af-

ternoon, four thousand men on one vessel. She was aground, and

could not move. The 104th occupied the upper, or hurricane

<leck, and entirely without shelter, except the protection their rub-

ber blankets, fastened to the rigging and the sides of the vessel,

aiforded. The rain fell in torrents through the night, and all were

soaked with water. They had been more comfortable amid the

slush and m\id on shore. The steamer was pronounced top-heavy

by the captain, and the 104th was disembarked and placed on the

State of Maine, where it had better quarters. When the Con-

stitution pulled out into the stream, we left the regiment, under the

lieutenant-colonel, standing on the wharf in a drenching rain,

waiting for the steamer to haul in. They embarked that after-


noon, and rsached their destination in advance of the rest of the

brigade.

Before we left the barracks, I appointed lieutenant llendrie,

quartermaster of the 104th, brigade quartermaster, in which capa-

city he acted to the close of the siege of Yorktown.


CHAPTER IV.

"On to Richmond."—The situation.—The enemy leave Manaases.Ârmy of the Potomac

marches.—We leave Ale.ândria.—Run aground.—Pulled oS by tug.—Land at Newport

News.—Encamp.—Division marches.—Arrive before Yorktown.—Position of the enemy.

—Casey's division.—Model camp.—Siege operations.—Rain and mud.Âlarms.—Smith

attacks.—Naglee takes command of brigade.—Lee's mills reconnoitered.—Our batteries

to open the 6th of May.—Enemy evacuate Yorktown.—Casey's pickets first in enemy's

works.

OUR readers cannot have forgotten the loud clamor raised soon

after the meeting of Congress, in December, 1861, for an on-

ward march of the army. "On to Kicbmond" was heard on every

hand, and was particularly advocated by those who did not intend

to do any of the fighting, nor would have to bear the responsibilities

of defeat. The way to Richmond was a hard road to travel, as was

demonstrated by three subsequent years of fighting, and experience

had not yet taught politicians the impossibility of making a winter

campaign through the mud of Virginia. To have done so at this

period, with raw troops, and sufiered defeat, might have endangered

the whole cause. While the army of the Potomac was organizing,

subsequent to the defeat at Bull Run, the enemy had completed the

blockade of the river, and assembled a force at Manasses and other

points in front of Washington, estimated at 115,000 men. A strong

pressure was made to induce general McClellan to attack this force

in the winter, and fight them on their own ground, but was success-

fully resisted. He might possibly have driven the enemy from

48 ONE HUNDRED AND PODRTH.

his position at heavy loss, hut he subsequently accomplished this

without the loss of a man. His refusal to give up the plans vehich

met his own judgment, as well as that of his most experienced offi-

cers, engendered against him a hostility which finally cost him his

command. The President, unfortunately, gave way to these in-

fluences. Without experience or knowledge, he took into his own

hands the direction of military operations. On the 31st of January

he issued an order from the Executive mansion, directing that all

the disposable forces of the army of the Potomac should move for-

ward and seize a point on the railroad south-west of Mauasses junc-

tion. They were to start not later than the 22d of February. Ge-

neral McClellan wrote an elaborate protest against this movement,

and argued in favor of the route by the way of Fortress Monroe, or

the line of the Rappahannock, and he induced the President to

change his mind. Early in February, the general called a council

of war consisting of twelve general officers, which decided, by a vote

of eight to four, in favor of a movement down the Chesapeake from

Annapolis, up the Rappahannock to Urbana, and thence across the

country to Richmond. By some means the enemy had become in-

formed of the proposed operations, and, fearing a flank movement,

they evacuated Manasses the beginning of March. A general move-

ment of our army was immediately made in that direction, as muchto occupy the troops during the preparations for the Peninsular cam-

paign, now fully resolved upon, as for any other purpose. The hulk

of the army proceeded to Fairfax court house. Here a council of

war was held on the 13th, attended by the corps commanders whenit was unanimously agreed that operations against Richmond could

be best undertaken from Fortress Monroe, by movin"- up the Penin-

sula between the York and James rivers. General McClellan hadalready ordered the transportation from Annapolis to Alexandria.

The retreat of the enemy had caused the evacuation of the batteries

on the river, and navigation was now unobstructed. The army im-

mediately returned to Alexandria, and began to embark. The com


mand of general Heintzelman was the first to leave, and landed at

Fortress Monroe tlie 23d of March. The remainder of the army

followed as rapidly as transportation could be furnished.

The steamer Constitution, on which my brigade, with the excep-

tion of the 104th, was embarked, left Alexandria Monday morning,

the 1st of April, and steamed down the river. When opposite

Maryland point, at noon, she ran aground, and no effort on the

part of the captain and crew could get her afloat. Her situation

was deemed critical. She was the largest vessel in the world, next

to the Great Eastern, and lay fast embedded in the mud with her

broadside to the shore, half a mile from it, with thirty-five hundred

men on board. She was but twelve miles from Fredericksburg,

where rebel troops were stationed ; and there was just cause of alarm

that the enemy might run a battery down under cover of the night,

and sink us. General Casey, who was on board with division head

quarters, thought it advisable that we should have some protection

through the night. The gunboat Freeborn lay ten miles up the

river, and lieutenant West of the general's staff, and myself, volun-

teered to go in quest of her, and if possible get her to come down

and lie by us until morning. We rowed two miles to a small steamer

at anchor, which took us up the river to the gunboat, which we

found near Budd's ferry. The captain and all the men, except the

watch on deck, were turned in, but they immediately got up steam

and ran down to the Constitution. As soon as it was daylight, new

efforts were made to get her off. Two regiments were temporarily

transferred to another steamer, which mean while had come up the

river, and water was started in three boilers. The tug then pulled her

off the sand-bar. The two regiments were now re-transferred to our

decks, when we steamed away for Fortresss Monroe, where we ar-

rived that evening, and dropped anchor between the fort and the

Rip Raps. Near to us lay the little Monitor, which had just

achieved a success over the iron-clad Merrimac, and was an object

of great interest. She looked not unlike what the rebels called her,

4

50 ONE HUNDRED AND FOURTH.

"A cheese-box on a raft." The dentation of the shots on her tur-

ret were plainly to be seen at the distance we lay from her, and ap-

peared about the size and depth of an ordinary saucer. The regi-

ments on the Constitution were transferred to small steamers, and

taken up to Newport News and disembarked, whence they marched

about two miles below and went into camp. The 104th landed on

the pier at the fortress, and marched to the camp ground by the way

of Hampton.

Couch's division of our corps, the 4th, had preceded us some

days and was already in camp in the same vicinity. The 104th

pitched their tent in a beautiful peach-orchard, now in full bloom,

and near the spot where had formerly been a large farm-house,

barn, and outbuildings, which had been burned by the enemy.

The destruction was complete ; the hearth-stones were removed,

and the wells filled up. The dwellings had generally been burned

in that vicinity. My men preserved the peach-trees from destruc-

tion. The division remained encamped here ten days, the weather

being very wet and exceedingly cold most of the time. There was

but little opportunity of drill, and the men were principally em-

ployed in fatigue and picket duty. The division was reviewed

once by general Casey. One afternoon, the rebel ram, Merrimac,

came down from Norfolk and cut out some small craft that lay in

Hampton creek, which we were obliged to witness without the

^jowor to prevent. The Monitor lay opposite the fortress watching

her operations, but she kept at a respectful distance from this

doughty little Goliath, and gave us no opportunity to witness a com-

')at between these mailed monarchs of the sea. The location of

our camp was unhealthy and the men rapidly sickened. Some of

the newest regiments brought the measles with them from Wash-ington, and by the time the division marched the disease had

spread to such extent, that the second and third brigades were

obliged to leave several hundred sick men behind.

General McClellan arrived at Fortress Monroe the 2nd of April.


The army commenced its march toward Yorktown on the 4th, and

the next day the advance appeared before the enemy's lines. Bythe 7th in.stant, 35,000 men had come up. The march of Casey's

division was delayed by the badness of the roads and the want

of transportation. On the 9th, the 11th Maine, of my brigade,

with a section of artillery were sent up to Young's mill on the

James river, which was threatened by the rebel gun-boat Teazer.

The division marched on the morning of the 15th for Warwick

court-house. The day was warm, and the roads, in many places,

exceedingly bad. My brigade was in the advance. It was in-

tended the whole command should bivotiac at Young's mill, as

that was a good day's march for young troops, but when I arrived

there, at 4 P. M., I was ordered to hurry forward, with all possible

speed, to re-enforce general Couch at Warwick ; who was reported

to have had an engagement with the enemy and needed assistance.

We reached him about sunset, and bivouacked in an open field,

in line of battle. Without rations or camp equipage I was ill-

conditioned to pass a comfortable night. By chance I met lieuten-

ant, now colonel, Fisher chief signal ofiGicer of the United States

army, whose quarters were near at hand. Acting the part of a

good Samaritan, he treated me to a ham and egg supper, which

fortified me against the inclemency of the night. At a late hour

I crept into an unoccupied tent and slept, with my overcoat for

bed and bedding. In the morning, the two other brigades of the

division came up, and that afternoon we marched to oui- assigned

position in the lines before Yorktown.

When the army reached its position, the enemy was found to oc-

cupy the line of the Warwick river, which stretched almost entirely

across the peninsula from the York to the James, and was strongly

defended by detached redoubts and other earth works mounted

with light and heavy guns. Immediately around the village of

Yorktown strong bastioned works had been erected, which enclosed

the remains of the old revolutionary works, and were connected


with the head waters of the Warwick river by means of strong rifle

pits. A large earth work had been thrown up on Gloucester Point,

across the York river, which was mounted with heavy guns on the

water fronts. Upon a careful reconnoissan ce of the enemy's defences

they were pronounced too strong for assault, and siege opera-

tions were considered necessary for their reduction. General Bar-

nard, chief Engineer of the Army of the Potomac, whose opinion is

entitled to great weight, did not think these formidable works could

be assaulted with any reasonable hope of success, and his judgment

was against the attempt. General Keyes, commanding the 4th corps,

writes from "Warwick court house, under date of the 7ih of April,

to Mr. Senator Harris, of New York, that " The line in front of

us, in the opinion of all military men, who are at all competent to

judge, is one of the strongest in the world, and the force of the ene-

my capable of being increased beyond the numbers we now have to

oppose him." The same officer, in his report of the 16th of April,

of the reconnoissances made to that period, says,—" No part of the

enemy's lines, so far as discovered, can be taken by assault without

enormous loss of life." The troops occupied the following relative

positions in line. Heintzelman's corps was on the right, extending

from the mouth of Wormley's creek down the Warwick river to a

point opposite Winn's mill; Sumner occupied the centre, and Keyes

the left, facing Lee's mill, the one gun battery, and other works,

and extending all the way to the James river. The enemy had

made good use of the little river that flowed in his front. Hehad built dams across it at several points and so arranged sluice-

ways as to enable him to inundate an attacking party. The stream

was made more valuable to his earth works than an ordinary wet

ditch. The enemy's works at most points could only be approached

through dense woods and thickets and across swamps.

Casey's division occupied the centre of the 4th corps—Smith

being on the right, and Couch on the left. My brigade held the

centre of the division. Our camps were at that point known as


Yorktowa four corners, four miles from Yorktown and one from

Warwick court house. No pains could have given us a niore disa-

greeable position. The late rains had converted the country there-

abouts into a quagmire, and we lived in the mud to all intents and

purposes. The 104th pitched its tents in an old tobacco field at the

forks of the road. The ground was dry when the camp was located,

but the first rain changed it into a vast mud hole, and so it conti-

nued while the regiment occupied it. It was impossible for the men

to keep their clothing or equipments clean. There were swamps on

every side, and of evenings the frogs made the air vocal with their

croakings. The regiment remained in this mud hole ten days, when

the location was changed to a beautiful grove of small pines near

us, on a dry sandy ridge. Here a model camp was formed. Broad

streets were cut through the pines, leaving trees enough standing

for shade and ornament, and a wide space in front, which dropped

down with a gentle slope to a small creek, was cleared up for a pa-

rade ground. The tents, which were pitched in a fringe of pines

left standing for that purpose, were raised high enough from the

ground to secure the men from dampness. Bowers and arbors

were constructed about the tents, and some companies built tasteful

arches over their streets where they debouched on to the parade.

Rustic seats were erected in shady places where the occupant could

sit and think of home, or reflect on the campaign that lay before

him, in quiet seclusion. Sweet singing birds lived in the trees,

whose songs of peace and sweet harmony were in delightful contrast

to the sounds of war that saluted us on every side. In the rear was

dense pine timber, with here and there a clearing. The contrast in

comparison with our former camps was so great that officers and

men looked upon it as almost a little Paradise. It was known as

the Pine Grove camp, and how often, in the after hardships of the

Peninsula campaign, did the mind turn back to this quiet and plea-

sant spot!

From the time the army set down before Yorktown until the


defeneeg were evacuted by the enemy, the siege was carried on

actively. The plan of operations for the reduction of the enemy's

works, as agreed upon by the engineers, was to establish bat-

teries along his whole front from the York river on the right,

to the "Warwick on the left, a chord of about a mile in length.

Our principal approaches were directed against the east end of

the main work, where his heaviest guns were mounted, which

bore on the land as well as the water. The severest labor in

the matter of building batteries, digging approaches, and mount-

ing guns, devolved on Heintzelman's corps, as it held the ground

immediately in front of the town, where the strongest of the enemy's

works had been erected. The corps of Keyes, and afterwards the

entire left wing under Summer, composed of the two corps of these

officers, was principally occupied in ascertaining the nature of the

obstacles of the "Warwick river, with a view, if possible, of over-

coming them. It was part of McClellan's plans to break through

the defences on the enemy's left and seize the "Williamsburg road

which would cut off Yorktown from its supplies and support. The

force under general Heintzelman was engaged in a similar effort

on the enemy's works between the extreme right and Winn's mill,

but on careful reconnoissanoe it was found that their line could' not

be broken in that quarter, as the only place of passage was across

a dam swept by artillery, and protected by heavy intrenchments

constructed in the timber. It was designed to complete the bat-

teries as rapidly as possible and open them simultaneously upon

the enemy's works, to silence his guns that swept the neck of land

between the head of "Wormly's creek and the "Warwick ; and while

their fire was kept down, to push forward the trenches and assault

his works. The labor on the batteries, the approaches to them

bridges, and re-opening roads for the movement of troops along the

whole line was continued without cessation. The work was labo-

rious and much of it was done in swamps. A good corduroy road

was constructed from Yorktown, four corners to the extreme rifht


strong enough for the passage of the heaviest artillery. From

time to time strong reconnoissances were pushed against the enemy's

lines to discover their strong and weak points ; and they retaliated

by trying to drive in our pickets and take our rifle-pits.

The troops on the left had a full share of the fatigue and picket

duty to do. The building of the corduroy road to Cheeseman's

landing, where our supplies were delivered, was a work of great

labor. It was constructed through the wood and swamp nearly

the whole distance, and the men worked constantly in mud and

water. Many of the logs cut down for this purpose were a foot in

diameter. Drilling was out of the question as the men were all

occupied on picket and fatigue. We had a long picket line to

maintain, and this duty was rendered doubly severe by the state

of the weather. Our lines were not more than two hundred yards,

apart on the left, but our camps were nearly a mile from the ene-

my's works and hid from them by the intervening timber. In going

to and returning from the picket lines, the men were often obliged

to wade through water half-leg deep ; and while on duty, had to

lie out day and night in the rain, watching the enemy from a fence

corner or a brush-heap. Mounted officers floundered through the

mud and mire belly-deep to their horses, and when the poor

animals sank down in the stiff clay soil, it was painful to see

them struggling to regain their footing. Our pickets were fre-

quently fired upon, and often the first salute the new officer of the

day received on visiting the lines, was a shot from one of the

enemy's batteries. On two occasions lieutenant-colonel Nields and

major Gries were fired at by a gun mounted on a large redoubt

below Lee's mill, and in both instances the shot was a very good

one, and came near sending these officers to their final account.

Now and then our men made a raid across the picket line into

the territory of the enemy, and upon one occasion they returned

with several head of cattle. At another time they brought off from

in front of a rebel battery, an old sulky, an ambulance and -a Cones-

56 ONE HUNDEED AND FOURTH

toga wagon. These raids were made more in the spirit of fun than

otherwise. On the night of the 16th, general Smith, whose division

held the right of our corps, made an assault on the works of the

enemy across the Warwick river, and was repulsed with consider-

able loss. Not only was there a heavy force at hand to oppose him,

but they opened the sluice-ways of the dam and drowned many of

our wounded, and prevented others returning who had crossed over

in safety. Alarms were frequent, and the troops were called out at

the most unseasonable hours, caused by the scare of some affrighted

soldier or inexperienced officer. On the 23d of April I was relieved

of the command of the brigade by general Naglee, whom general

McClellan ordered to report to general Casey for duty. As I

was the only colonel in the division commanding a brigade, I had

to give way for a general officer. General Naglee had been com-

manding a brigade in Hooker's division, but he and the general had

had a quarrel, which led to the arrest of Naglee and his being per-

manently relieved from command in the division. I felt great pride

in the brigade, and naturally resigned the command of it with some

regret. It was by all odds the best in the division. I had taken

the regiments on their first arrival at Washington, the fall before,

organized, drilled and disciplined them, and when I gave up the com-

mand, I do not believe the brigade was second to any in the army of

the Potomac in efficiency. I now had time to devote all my atten-

tion to my own regiment. General Naglee was as gallant an officer as

could be found in the army, impetuous, and sometimes rash, but just

to his officers and men. He soon became proud of the brigade, and

thought there was no duty so hard that it could not perform it.

In the last days of April, the enemy was strongly suspected of

preparing to evacuate his works, and on the 28th, general Keyes di-

rected general Casey to cause a reconnoissance to be made toward-

Lee's mill, to discover his movements, if possible. Naglee's bri-

gade was assigned to this duty, and the reconnoissance was made on

the afternoon of the 29th instant. The 104th occupied the ri"ht


of our line, whicli was formed in a wood along the Lee's mill road,

and about twelve hundred yards in front of the enemy's works.

Companies A,and B were thrown forward in an open field, and de-

ployed as skirmishers, with company E as a support. The regi-

ment was then advanced two hundred yards to a fence, on the edge

of the timber. The brigade rested on this line, while the skirmish-

ers were pushed forward to feel the enemy. Captain Orem, with

his company, advanced to within about a hundred and fifty yards

of the works, where he found a force drawn up. A few shots

were exchanged, by which one of the skirmishers of the 11th

Maine was mortally wounded. When his company retired, he was

left where he had fallen, at the mercy of the enemy. Captain

Orem, with the assistance of three men, brought ofi' the body at

great risk. The conduct of the officer who commanded the com-

pany of the 11th was such that he could stay in the regiment no

longer, and was permitted to resign. The 104th had no casualties;

two shells burst close to the regiment, but nobody was hurt. Wereturned to camp after dark, hungry, cold and muddy. Drummer

Somerdyke was so anxious for a fight, that he seized a rifle and

went into the ranks. The reconnoissance accomplished the desired

object, and demonstrated that the enemy still held his lines in

force. It was a small aifair, but well conducted, and was a lesson

that added to the confidence of the troops.

The siege works had been pushed forward with such commenda-

ble activity, in spite of storms and other obstacles, that it was ex-

pected the batteries would be ready to open on the enemy on the

6th of May, at the latest. The whole army was in expectation of

the assault that would succeed the bombardment. But the enemy

did not give us an oppportunity to try the range of our heavy guns

upon them, but evacuated on the night of the 3d, and retired up

the Peninsula. A citizen of Yorktown, who remained there during

the siege, stated to me in the fall of 1862, that he often heard the

rebel officers, who boarded at his house remark, that McClellan

58 ONE IIUNDEED AND FOURTH

could drive them out whenever he opened his guns. From obser-

vation, they knew his batteries were nearly completed, and there-

fore showed great prudence in leaving in good season.

There were indications for two or three days before, along our

part of the line, that some movement was going on among the ene-

my, but no reliable information of what it was could be obtained.

On the 3d, general Naglee made a personal reconnoissance. After

a careful examination of their works, from the tops of the highest

trees in the woods, and from the lookouts, he was satisfied he had

evacuated his lines from the Warwick to the James, and he did

not believe there were then a hundred men in front of Casey's

division. He reported the result of his observations to general

Casey the same day, but I do not know whether it was transmitted

to higher authority. At all events, it was not acted upon. He

had evacuated this part of the line undoubtedly before the exami-

nation by general Naglee, but the works immediately about York-

town were held until some time during the night of the 3d, or it

was probably the morning of the 4th before the rear guard left.

The first positive information that the enemy had evacuated, came

from the pickets of our division. About daylight on Sunday morn-

ing, some of them carefully approached the works on the right

of the defences at Lee's mill, and seeing nobody about ventured

nearer and nearer, until at last they stood within the much coveted

intrenchments of the enemy. They were silent and deserted, with

nothing but the debris of their late camps to tell the story of their

occupation.

Soon after the arrival of the regiment at Yorktown four cor-

ners, lieutenant Carver, sergeant Ryan, and several enlisted men of

the 104th, were detailed to erect towers along the line for the use

of the signal corps. Lieutenant Carver had charge of the work

and accomplished it with great success. The towers were built in

the timber, and one of them was a hundred and fifteen feet in

height. From their top, one could look down into the enemy's


works and observe tlieir movements. When they appeared above

the tree tops, the enemy shelled them, but it did not interfere with

their completion. When the regiment moved forward, it was so

sudden that lieutenant Carver and his party were left at work in the

woods, but they rejoined us a few days afterward.


CHAPTER V.

Evacuation suspected.—We march in pursuit.—Accident.—101th to Grove's wharf.^Wereturn and join in general pursuit.—Join our division.—Bivouac.—Found supper.

—

Country alive with troops.—Rainy night.—March in morning.—Halt.—Go to support

Hoolter.—Return.—March to support Hancock.—Bivouac on battle field.—Cause of fail-

ure at Williamsburg.—Alarm in night.—Field of battle next morning.—104th marches

to fort Magruder.—A wounded enemy.—Light baggage reaches us.—The regiment.

THE suspicion tliat the enemy had evacuated his works was so

strong at general Keyes' head quarters on Saturday night

that arrangement? were made for pursuit next morning, in case it

should turn out to be true. He directed general Casey to send a

brigade of infantry, battery of artillery and a squadron of cavalry,

in the direction of Grove's wharf, on the James river, to reconnoitre

the country well, and try and discover whether any of the enemy

had withdrawn by that route. When it was known at head quar-

ters, that the enemy had gone, immediate pursuit was ordered.

About 8 o'clock I received a verbal order to get the regiment under

arms as soon as possible. In a few minutes it was in line and moved

off through the wood and swamps toward the enemy's lines. Wedid not then know that he had evacuated. Our camp was left

standing, with every thing in the tents as though we were o-oin"-

out for drill. Neither officers nor men took overcoat or blanket

except the thoughtful few, who were always prepared for an emer-

gency. We little thought we were bidding a final adieu to the

pleasant Pine Grove camp. When the regiment fell in, drummers


Hurdg, Hunter, Smith and Griner, too plucky to be left behind,

seized the rifles of sick men and went into the ranks of their com-

panies. Company A, which had just gone on guard, was left to

take charge of the camp.

Uniting with the other regiments of the brigade, we hurried for

the enemy's works. Company B. was in the advance as skirmish-

ers. The enemy had planted torpedoes in the road that led up to

their intrenchments, and care was required to prevent the men

treading upon them. One was exploded by a soldier of the 52nd

Pennsylvania regiment, which literally tore the poor fellow to pieces

and wounded six others of the same company. One of his toes

was found in the haversack of his comrade. We' found the

fortifications entirely deserted, with evidence of hasty departure.

The first flag raised over this part of his works was by lieu-

tenant Fisher, of the signal corps. Other brigades came streaming

on and soon thousands of men stood in and about the works of our

foe. As there was uncertainty what route the enemy had taken,

I was ordered to make the reeonnoissance toward Grove's wharf,

where there was a good place to embark, and go up the James river

in boats. Not less than a brigade of infantry was to be assigned to

this duty, but I was only allowed to take my own regiment, with

two pieces of artillery, and a squadron of regular cavalry. The en-

emy was not found in that direction. I learned from a negro that

a body of troops had taken that road, but the last of them had em-

barked in steamboats the day before. Having carried out my or-

ders, I returned. Quartermaster Hendrie was now sent back to the

camp to make arrangements for getting up our baggage and camp

equipage.

In the mean while our division had been replaced by strange

troops, and there was no one to whom I could report the result of

my reeonnoissance. I therefore turned into the Williamsburg road

and followed the march of the army as I had been instructed. It

was now near the middle of the afternoon, and as my men had been

,^2 ONE HUNDRED AND FOURTH

keeping up for several hours with tlie cavalry, they were considera-

bly fagged, nevertheless they marched with spirit and enthusiasm.

In places the road was fearfully had, and every where filled with

dense masses of troops hurrying forward. At intervals we passed

the wreck of a wagon or cart, sticking in the mud, abandoned by

the retreating enemy, but very little was left behind that could be

carried away. When we reached the road that comes from York-

town, we encountered another body of troops, the men of Heintzel-

man and Sumner; whose officers would not permit us to enter their

column, and we had to wait for an opening before we could continue

the march. We came up with our division about sun-down, which

was found bivouacked in a large field four miles below Williams-

burg. The regiment was marched to an orchard, where the men

stacked arms and lay down to sleep, with no other protection than

that afforded by the branches of the trees. As I had not even a

cracker in the locker, before I turned in I went out to hunt supper,

and instinct directed me to Regan's Vch New York battery, as the

most likely place to find it. I was not mistaken. Seated under a

tarpaulin stretched from a gun carriage wheel to a tree, I found the

captain, his lieutenants and surgeon Van Ettan of the 56th New

York regiment, eating a sumptuous meal. The bill of fare consisted

of fresh butter, soft bread, milk, fried meat and canned fruit, to say

nothing of a little flask of commissary "B," administered at inter-

vals, on the surgeon's certificate, to keep out the dampness. As

these gentlemen were my friends, I was cordially welcomed to the

mess-chest, and the inward man was made to laugh "with gladness.

If a hungry officer desires to find good cheer on the march, let him

get on the warm side of the light artillery, for there it is always to

be found. I spread my friendly old watch coat, which had shelter-

ed me in many a bivouac in the Mexican war, at the roots of a tree,

where I snatched a few hours' rest in spite of cold and rain. The

country hereabout was alive with troops and wagons, and during the

night the air resounded with the neighing of horses and the still


liarsher voices of mules. A few prisoners had been picked up and

brought to division head quarters, but no information of import-

ance was obtained from them.

As soon as I had been detached toward James river, the balance

of the division marched in pursuit of the enemy up the Williams-

burg road, Naglee's brigade leading. He led the extreme advance

of the infantry. About 2 o'clock in the afternoon he was met by

governor Sprague returning from the front, who informed him of

the situation of things there, and how necessary it was that infantry

should be sent forward immediately. He was already pushing on

as rapidly as possible under the orders of general Keyes. In a little

while general William F. Smith came up and stopped his march by

order of general Sumner. After considerable delay Naglee found

Sumner, who, with much hesitation, consented that the troops of

Casey might follow Smith's brigade. He was just getting under

way again, when Heintzelman came up and ordered him to halt un-

til the whole of his division had passed. When these extraordinai-y

interruptions of the pursuit of the enemy were reported to general

Casey, he saw that it was entirely fruitless to attempt to get the ad-

vance, or keep it when obtained, and ordered his division to go into

camp, where I found it. Because of this interruption in the pursuit

no infantry reached the front that day, and our artillery and cavalry

were repulsed for want of support. Plad Naglee been allowed to

push forward, he would, in all probability, have reached Emory in

time to intercept the enemy's rear-guard, but which, for want of

infantry, was permitted to escape by a circuitous route along the

James river.

It rained during Sunday night, and we arose from the ground

the next morning, wet, cold and hungry. Our division was -under

arms at sunrise, and moved out into the main road. Troops, ar-

tillery and wagons had been coming up all night, and the road was

so much crowded with them, that we were obliged to turn out into

the fields and woods to get along. The rain fell in torrents. The

64 ONE HUNDRED AND FOUKTH.

soft soil was cut up into mud shoe top deep: the wagons stuck fast

every few rods, and the men labored painfully to drag their sinking

feet after them. The brigade was halted in a wood and stacked

arms just beyond Cheesecake church. Hereabouts, were a number

of brigades of infantry and several batteries of artillery. We

had heard the sound of cannon for some time, and knew that a

battle was going on in front; and after awhile messengers brought

in word that the enemy had turned back, and was engaged with our

forces at Williamsburg. Naglee made a few impromptu dispositions

to stand on the defensive, should it become necessary. The bushes

were cut down, and two pieces of cannon placed in position at the

turn in the road. While we lay here, some of my men were

able to forage a few chickens, pigs and corn bread from the neigh-

boring farms, for rations had not yet come up, and hungry soldiers

in an enemy's country are not apt to be profound respecters of the

rights of meum and tuum.

It was now noon. It had rained all day, and there was hardly a

dry soldier, or satisfied stomach in the brigade. Word was now re-

ceived from the front, that Hooker was hard pushed, and re-enforce-

ments were needed. Naglee's brigade was ordered forward. The

men seized their arms, and moved oflF with alacrity, for any change

was preferable to standing in the timber and fields in the rain.

Passing by the old church, we struck across the country, through

thickets and marshes, over hills and valleys and across water courses,

the mud and mire being every where deep. How far we marched

I don't know, for I kept reckoning of neither distance nor time, but

we were almost within supporting distance, and would soon have

debouched on the field of battle, when we were overtaken by a

staff officer, with orders to return and go to the support of Hancock,

who was engaged with the enemy's left. It was intended, in the

first place, that our brigade should re-enforce Hancock, but some-

body's stupidity sent us on a wild goose chase several miles out of

our way. On facing about, I found that the 101th was alone, the


only regiment that had made this fatiguing march. I received no

other order than to return, and therefore marched back to the woods

we had started from, where the men were ordered to stack arms.

I expected every moment to be joined by the remainder of the bri-

gade, as I did not then know that the other regiments had been

halted at the old church, and had some time ago been sent off to re-

enforce our right. I was in ignorance of what was expected of us.

After waiting some time, and hearing nothing of general Naglee or

the other regiments, I rode up the Williamsburg road to find

some body who could give me orders. I met an aide-de-camp of

general Casey, who was hunting us, and by him was ordered to

hasten to our extreme right, to the support of Hancock, whither

the rest of the brigade was marching. A few moments saw us

under way.

The marching, by this time, was more than bad—it was execra-

ble in the extreme. We kept the main road until we reached the

Adam's house, where we turned into the fields to the right and

struck across the country, following in the track of those who had

preceded us. General McClellan, with staff and escort, had come

up a little while before, and was near the house giving directions.

The troops cheered him loudly as they passed. The out-buildings

had been taken for hospital purposes, and a number of wounded

had already been brought in and placed in them. Night came on

before we reached the front. We had no guide, and our course

was directed by stragglers we met coming from the field. The

darkness was intense, the mud deep and still raining hard. The

other regiments of the brigade were ahead of us so far that we

could not overtake them. We reached the field of battle two hours

after dark. The battle had ceased, and all had become quiet—the

weary soldier had sunk to rest, and the wounded lay down to die. Wewere lucky in reaching our destination at all that night, for never

were tired and hungry soldiers marched over a more infamous road.

General Naglee and the four regiments made their appearance at

5


a critical momout, and while they were not actually under fire, their

coming so much inspirited Hancock's men, that they were enabled

to make the final charge which gave us the day.

Every great battle is said to be the result of a blunder on the

one side or the other, and that of Williamsburg is not an exception.

But in this instance there was a double blunder. That of the

enemy consisted in not making better time and getting out of the

way of our pursuing columns, while ours was in not crushing the

entire force sent back to oppose us.

When general McClellan discovered that the enemy had evacuated

his lines between the York and James rivers, he ordered the cavalry

and four horse batteries in immediate pursuit, with the promise of

an infantry support. He directed the divisions of Kearney and

Hooker to march on Williamsburg by the direct road from York-

town, and those of Smith, Couch and Casey by the road from War-

wick Court-house. The divisions of Richardson, Sedgwick and

Porter were moved up to the immediate vicinity of Yorktown, while

that of Franklin, which was on board transports below the town,

was got ready to steam up the river and land at West Point and

intercept the retreat of the enemy. General Sumner was ordered

to proceed to the front and take charge of operations until such

time as the Commanding-General should arrive.

Stoneman moved rapidly and overtook Hampton's legion, the

rear guard of the enemy, four miles from Williamsburg, where a

running fight took plafle for a couple of miles. Our advance guard

was repulsed and fell back to a clearing a mile and a half this side

of the enemy's works. Hooker did not march until about two

o'clock in the afternoon, and was detained two or three hours by

reason of Smith's division blocking up the road before him. I have

already detailed how Naglee was prevented supporting Stoneman

and how the rear guard of the enemy escaped. Hooker resumed

his march about dark, and turning to the left at Cheesecake church

made a detour of three or four miles to endeavor to turn the ene-


my's rigtt. He inarclied that nigtt until eleven o'clock, when the

depth of the mud and the fatigue of his men compelled him to halt.

He started early the next morning, and at six and a half o'clock

had come up with the enemy's advanced outposts, half a mile

from fort Magruder. When the retiring enemy found himself so

hard pushed, several thousand men were recalled to fight us at

Williamsburg. This became a necessity, to allow the great bulk of

the army to escape. Their commander was willing to sacrifice a

part to save the remainder.

General Hooker became engaged early in the day, and the battle

lasted until evening. It was fought with great stubbornness on

both sides. He made urgent requests of the commanding officer

on the Yorktown road for re-enforcements, but none were sent him

except Keim's brigade and a few oth«r troops. Late in the day

Kearny, who was the last to leave Yorktown, came up and relieved

Hooker and took command. All this time Sumner was within two

or three miles of the field, with thousands of troops at his command,

yet it seems that he ordered up only Naglee's brigade to the sup-

port of Hooker, and the march of that was countermanded before it

reached him. The blundering of the commanders, and the conflict

of their orders, well nigh cost us defeat, and will remain one of the

marvels of the campaign. The road was fairly choked up with ar-

tillery and infantry that should have been hurled upon the enemy,

and crushed him before he could have escaped, instead of doing

nothing all day.

The Prince de Joinville was with the advance. Seeing how

thino'S were going, he rode back to Yorktowii about ten o'clock in

the forenoon to see general McClellan, who had not yet left there.

He said to the general, " You have three old women in the advance

who refuse to re^enforce Hooker, who is heavily engaged, and it is

necessary that you go to the front." He started as soon as he could,

and reached the Adam's house about the middle of the afternoon.

In speaking of the battle afterward, I heard general Casey remark


that there was great occasion for a controlling mind on the field;

that general McClellan, immediately upon his arrival, saw the weak

point of the enemy, and consequently pushed reinforcements to

Hancock—that his coming probably saved the day. But for the

presence of the rebel ram Merrimac, the battle of Williamsburg

would have been made a crushing defeat to the enemy, instead of

a victory of doubtful advantage. At this point, the Peninsula is

quite narrow, and with gunboats in the James and York rivers, our

shells would have overlapped this neck of land, and probably

prevented the retreat of the enemy. As it was, he held us in

check long enough to enable the main body, with the baggage and

heavy guns, to get beyond our reach. He retired during the

night, leaving their dead and wounded on the field.

The 104th joined the bivouac of the brigade on the field of bat-

tle where we passed the night. The regiments were formed in

division columns. The men sat down in their places in ranks in

the mud, with their accoutrements on, and held their rifles between

their knees. The horses of the mounted officers were kept sad-

dled, and in some instances the riders passed the night in the

saddle. Both officers and men were ordered to keep awake, but it

was a hard thing to do, and was not always observed. Durin"-

the night the ear was often saluted by the groans of the wounded

enemy who lay near us, by no means a pleasant sound to waiting,

expectant soldiers. Toward morning the report of a gun was

heard in the wood to our left, which had the effect of a o-alvanic

battery on the strained nerves of the men. The brigade sprang

to arms as one man, without command, with a sound like a rushin<T

wind, and was ready for ^ction in a moment. The alarm was

caused by some affrighted picket discharging his rifle at an imao-in-

ary foe, and as there was no danger at hand, the men were permitted

to sit down again. The battle was expected to be renewed in the

morning, but when the day dawned, and it was discovered that the


enemy had retired during -the night, all concerned were most agree-

ably disappointed.

The sun arose bright and clear, which, added to the retreat of

the enemy, gave a cheerful aspect to the situation. We lay at the

head of a plain, flanked on either side by dense wood, extend-

ing in a gradual descent two miles to fort Magruder. Near us

was a square redoubt, which the enemy had not occupied, in

which lay ninety-six of his dead and wounSed, mostly North

Carolinians. They were lying in the mud just as they had been

carried in from the field. Their heart-rending groans, and pitiable

condition, added to the unsympathizing gaze of the lookers on, did

not present a pleasing picture of war. A short distance from the

redoubt a burying-party was collecting the enemy's dead, and

preparing to consign them to the narrow trench that shortly re-

ceived their mortal remains. My men had now been two days

without rations, except the little some of them were able to pick

up on the road, and the stomachs were in a rebellious condition.

Some commissariat wagons come upc^ the field early in the morn-

ing, and I was fortunate enough to procure a few boxes of hard

bread, and a little sugar and cofiee.

It was yet quite early when I was directed to move with the

104th toward fort Magruder, halt in that vicinity and await further

orders. We marched the entire length of the field on which the

enemy's left fought the battle of the day before. None of the rebel

dead had been removed, except those near the redoubt already men-

tioned, and their bodies were seen every few yards—in the road,

along the sides of the road, in the grass and grain, in the ditches

and along the fences. They lie stark and stiff, a ghastly commenta-

ry on a nation's quarrel. We halted in a strip of bushes near the

fort, where the men stacked arms and lay down to make up the slegp

and rest they had lost the night before. We were the advance of

the infantry that morning, but numerous other regiments were de-

bouching on to the plain from the openings in the hills and


througli tlie timber, and followed close after us. In the bushes

near our bivouac sergeant Widdiefield came across a young South

Carolina soldier badly wounded by a musket ball in the groin. He

was a pale, delicate-looking, youth. He told the usual tale, that he

was left there to die after he was of no further service. He had

been wounded out on the plain, but had managed to drag himself

to the bushes for shelter. My men gave him something to eat

from their scanty store, and water from their canteens, as he had

had nothing to eat or drink since the day before. He was then

turned over to the kind attention of assistant-surgeon Eobinson,

who dressed his wounds and caused him to be taken to the enemy's

hospital at Williamsburg.

Quartermaster Heudrie reached us with the light baggage and

rations the next day, but the whole of our baggage did not arrive

until the day of the battle of Fair Oaks, the 31st of May. Com-

pany A joined us here. The sick men left behind at Pine grove

camp were sent to the general hospital at Yorktown; some died,

others were discharged, and tke remainder rejoined the regiment

after a long absence. One of these men deserted, but was afterward

apprehended. Private Elias Wolf, company H, was too ill to be

removed and died in camp, where he was buried under the shade

of the young pines. Another man was reported to captain Rogers

as lying at the point of death, for whom he caused a coffin to be

made, but he recovered and afterward rejoined the regiment.

The last morning report of the regiment before we marched from

Yorktown four corners was rendered the 4th of May, the morningwe left. Then we had present thirty-five officers and eight hund-

red and ten non-commissioned officers and privates. Since we left

Washington down to this time eleven had been discharged, one

died, and two reported as deserters. The one who died was private

Bertols, company A, who had been left behind at Warren hospital.

Some of those discharged were absent, sick in hospital, at the time.

The day the regiment landed at Fortress Monroe private Garner


company B., was placed in the hospital there, whence he was dis-

charged, and died at home soon afterward. A few men were sent

to the Newport News hospital from the Peach orchard camp,

some of whom rejoined us in front of Yorktown. Others died or

were discharged.

72 ONE HTJNDEED AND FOURTH

CHAPTER VI.

Williamsburg.—The battle-field.^Burying the dead.—Stoneman continued pursuit.—ArmyadvancoB.—Bivouac.—Mrs. Pickett'B.—Prisoner escapes.—March from Ropcr'a church.

—

English officer at dinner.—" Pater."—New Kent court house.—Prisoners brought in.

—

Reconnoissance to Chickahominy.—Army^bivouacs'near Bottom's bridge.—104th crosses

over for picket.—Keyes' corps crosses.—Reconnoissance to Savage's station.

WILLIAMSBURG, in appearance, is still a colonial town. As

sucli it was built in colonial times, and has so remained

through all the generations that have passed away since its corner-

stone was hid, down to the time our army entered and took posses-

sion of it the morning after the battle of the 5th of May. The

buildings have a very antiquated look, but comfortable, and the hand

of the spoiler, modern improvement, had been laid upon it with a

very gentle touch. It is the seat of William and Mary college, next

to Harvard, the oldest institution of learning in the United States.

Principal among the other public buildings, are the residence of

Lord Dinmore, while Royal governor of Virginia, a quaint structure,

a beautiful and well-arranged Insane Asylum, and the court house.

At a later period in the war the college was burned down, its second

destruction by fire; the iirst time being burned by the British during

the Revolutionary war. Many of the inhabitants had gone away,

while those at home mostly remained within doors. But one manin the whole population publicly announced himself faithful to the

old flag, whom neither threats nor persuasion could turn. This was

Lemuel Bowden, a distinguished lawyer, who was afterwards elected


United States Senator from the State of East Virginia, but died

while a member of that body the third year of the war.

In its day and generation, Williamsburg was an important place.

It was once the centre of all that was fashionable and polished and

aristocratic in the Old Dominion. Here the Royal governors of

Virginia held court with more regal form than any where else this

side the Atlantic; when Washington, then a young man, used to

ride from Mount Vernon' by the way of White House, down the

Peninsula, to mingle in the elite society attracted to the colonial

capital. Here the great men of the State met at a later period and

promulgated ideas that went far toward forming the public opinion

that carried our ancestors through the Revolutionary struggle. But

its glory hath departed. The town is in decay, and a new popula-

tion seems needed to save it from ruin.

To the victors was left the duty of burying the dead, and taking

care of the wounded of both armies, and it was a sad task, that of

going over the battle-field and collecting them together. The for-

mer were put into trenches digged near where they fell, and the

latter were taken to the town and placed in public and private build-

ings. Near fort Magruder were several cabins which the enemy

had used for barracks, where many of the wounded were carried in

the first instance. A rich harvest of dead was gathered there.

They were lying in every conceivable position, and in some places

so thick on the ground as nearly to touch each other. A consider-

able portion of the battle field was covered with slashed timber, and

bodies were found well-concealed in the bushes, as if the men, after

being wounded, had dragged themselves there for shelter. Some

of the wounded were not discovered until after the lapse of two or

three days, and many, no doubt, died from sheer exposure. One

rebel soldier was shot while in the act of ramming a cartridge into

his musket, and there he stood, stiff in death, with his ramrod half

inserted in the barrel, and the hand raised to force it home. Near

a dead rebel officer were lying the bodies of three Federal soldiers,

7-1 ONE HUNDEED AND FOURTH

whom he had apparently shot with his pistol, and was afterward

killed himself. Both armies fought in mud half-leg deep. Many

incidents of the field were related. It was told me, that one rehel

regiment advanced with a white flag, calling to our men not to fire,

as they were coming in ; hut when they had approached near oar

line, they poured a volley into our men which killed and wounded

a number. The white flag was borne by a fat officer, whom a boy

in our ranks determined to shoot for his treachery. He snapped

his gun at him two or three times, when he sat down and put fresh

powder in the cone, fired and killed him.

The next day after the enemy evacuated Williamsburg, general

Stoneman, with a force of cavalry, some horse batteries, and two

regiments of infantry, went in pursuit, and established himself fif-

teen or twenty miles from the main body. The army did not move

until the morning of the 9th, as it was necessary to wait until the

baggage and supplies came up, and the wretched state of the roads

somewhat delayed the wagons. In this time the 104th had been

rejoined by all the men fit for duty, who had been left behind at

camp Scott, and quartermaster Hendrie had brought up a supply

of rations. While we lay here, general Naglee seemed apprehen-

sive lest his brigade should have too much rest, and to prevent it,

he drilled us in the plain near Magruder.

We marched at 7J o'clock in the morning. As we filed through

Williamsburg the bands played inspiring airs, and many of the in-

habitants came to the doors and windows to see the troops pass.

General McClellan and stalf stood on a porch and received the salute

of the army. That day we marched ten miles, and toward evening

our division encamped on the farm of a Mrs. Pickett, sister of Mr.

Bowden. The roads were bad in places and our long trains cut

them up so as to make them almost impassible. We met a number

of prisoners, who had been picked up by the advance, goino- to the

rear without a guard. They expressed themselves as already tired

of the war, and from their conduct appeared to be willing captives.

PENNSYLVANIA EEGIMENT. 75.

MoClellan Lad sent word to Mrs. Pickett that he would quarter with

her for the night, and she was making ample preparations to accom-

modate him. A guard of twenty-four men, in charge of a commis-

sioned officer, was detailed for him from the 104th, and the regi-

mental band was sent over to the house to welcome him on his arri-

val. He was detained on the road by some engagement and did

not arrive that evening. The band serenaded the mistress of the

mansion and her daughters, with whom the officers present took a

glass of wine. The regiment bivouacked in a field at the edge of a

large wood. The negroes of Mrs. Pickett did quite a thriving busi-

ness in selling corn dodgers to the men, and for that night hard

tack was at a discount. The next day we marched to Roper's

church, ten miles further. As the bulk of the army moved by the

main road, it was completely blocked up with artillery, cavalry, in-

fantry and trains, and the progress was very slow. Our division

lay in a large wheat field on the farm of a Mr. Timberlake, whose

house accommodated general Casey anji staff. The tents of the

Commanding-G-eneral were pitched in a pleasant gro^e near the

church, and the country around was alive with troops. The army

remained here the eleventh and twelfth, waiting for stores and am-

munition to be brought up. Arrangements had been made to hang

a free negro, named Lightfoot, the morning of the 13th, who had

been convicted at Yorktown of having committed a rape upon two

white women, but the rascal escaped the night before and saved his

neck. He was the servant of an officer on general McClellan's

stafi". While lying here several officers were arrested for violating

the order prohibiting, the taking and carrying off private proper-

ty. Among others was a colonel of our division, who came into

camp with two yokes of oxen hitched to an old wagon, loaded with

various kinds of plunder, including a considerable quantity of corn

meal, the result of his individual foraging on the road. Some of

the soldiers were uncharitable enough to say that he had been

taught bad habits while sitting as a member of a celebrated con-


gressional committee to investigate frauds, and that we had no right

to expect any thing better. The commission of lieutenant Holmes,

as assistant commissary of subsistence, with the rank of captain,

arrived in the mail on the 12th, and he was mustered in as of that

date. Orderly sergeant Fretz was promoted to fill the vacancy thus

created in company A. Regimental headquarters were in the shade

of a friendly apple tree, where a tent was pitched. The last day of

our stay we had as guest, at dinner, lieutenant-colonel Fletcher, of

the English Fusileer Guards, serving on the staff of the command-

ing general.

While we lay at Roper's church we had the last arrival from

Pine grove camp, in the person of Peter, a German boy, private

servant to major Gries. His adventures on the way were almost

as numerous as those of Don Quixote. While the regiment was

encamped in the old tobacco field at Yorktown four corners, a

very dilapidated vehicle, the remains of a former cart, fell to his

possession by reason of the want of an owner. Soon afterward he

also fell heir to a mule that was in keeping with the cart ; and he

picked up enough scraps of leather and pieces of rope about camp

to rig a harness and complete his team for the road. After the

regiment had marched, Peter loaded the baggage of the major and

chaplain into the cart and started toward Richmond. His turn-out

attracted great attention. The army produced nothing like it ; it

was the observed of all observers. His mule was only able to

travel a very few miles when he was obliged to stop and encamp.

At every halt he set up public-house on the road-side and fed the

hungry. A number of soldiers received rations at his board. Hestuck fast in the mud an innumerable number of times, but on

each occasion, the forlorn appearance of himself and team attracted

sympathy and a helping hand. He swore quite equatl to uncle

Toby in Flanders ; but when too mad to give vent to primitive

oaths, in a mixture of German and English, he sought refuge in

crying. When that failed to bring relief, he was quite in despair.


Messengers from the rear frequently gave notice of Peter's where-

abouts, and the tribulations that were his. He finally drove into

camp the afternoon before we marched from Roper's church, and

he had reason to congratulate himself and the mule in having made

the thirty miles inside of a week. " Pater," as the soldiers called

him, was quite a character in his way, and was the subject of many

a hearty laugh in camp and on the march. He entered on his mili-

tary career at Washington, but by the time the army reached Har-

rison's landing he became disgusted and left for home. While

we lay here, lieutenant Carver was sent home sick, and assistant-

surgeon Robinson was detailed for duty in the general hospital at

White House.

The next march was to New Kent court house, a distance of

twelve miles. It was one of the most fatiguing the army made on the

Peninsula. The men were under arms from 7 o'clock, on the morn-

ing of the loth, until 2 A.M. of the 14th, nineteen houi's, without

taking off their equipments. There was a halt every few minutes,

and it was not a rare thing to keep the men standing in the road

an hour at a time. When we moved, it was at an exceedingly slow

pace. The delay was said to be caused by the pontoon trains and

supply wagons which had got into our front. When we reached

our destination, our division was turned into a wheat field at the

edge of a wood, where the men lay down and were asleep in a few

minutes. It was my ill luck to be division officer of the day, and

the pickets and guards had to be looked after before I could turn

in; when I made my bed on the ground at the lee side of a brush

heap which broke off the wind. New Kent is a hamlet of twenty

houses, and hardly presented an attractive feature. The court house,

a small and antiquated building, is noted as having been the scene

of some of Patrick Henry's forensic displays in early life. The

army remained here three days to get up stores from West Point,

at the head of York river, whither they had been sent in boats. It

will be remembered, that when we moved from Yorktown, two divi-


sions, under Franklin, were sent up the river in transports, under

convoy of gunboats, to that point, to endeavor to intercept the re-

treat of the enemy. A landing was effected, and a spirited action

took place, but the enemy was in such large numbers that the gun-

boats only saved us from a defeat. A depot of supplies was esta-

blished there until the Richmond and York river railroad was put

in running order, when the base of supplies was removed to White

House on the Pamunky. The next day after we encamped at New

Kent, two rebel officers came in under a flag of truce, under pre-

tence of obtaining permission for a lady to visit her wounded hus-

band at Williamsburg. They were not blindfolded when they came

through our lines, and as their object may have been to obtain in-

formation, they were detained. When the army moved they were

taken to the front, blindfolded, and put outside our lines. They

pretended to be highly indignant at this treatment. By this time

'several officers and men had become too sick to continue the march.

Captain Marple and lieutenant Robinson, of company C, were of the

number. They were sent down to West Point in ambulances, and

thence to hospitals. The latter officer never rejoined his regiment

but was compelled to resign through long-continued illness.

Company C was thus left without a commissioned officer, and

lieutenant G-roff, of company H, was assigned to it. He retained

command until subsequently wounded ou the 24:th inst., at Sava"-e's

station. Captain Marple and lieutenant Carver rejoined the reo-i-

ment in June, on the Chickahominy. Lieutenant Hinkle rejoined

us at New Kent, from the recruiting service. While here a gene-

ral court martial, which had been assembled before we marched from

camp Scott, and of which I was a member, was called together to

complete some unfinished business.

The march was resumed at short notice on the afternoon of the

17th, and that evening our division pitched its tents near Balti-

more cross roads, seven miles beyond. I was detained with the

court martial, and did not reach the regiment until it had encamped


To-day we passeil througli some beautiful country, and saw a few

fine farms, witli good improvements, lying some distance off the

road. Within a few hundred yards of our own camps stood the

residence of Dr. Tazewell T^ler, son of the ex-President, and now a

surgeon in the rebel army. The family had fled at our approach,

and left the premises in charge of an old black man, with the fur-

niture undisturbed and the books and papers in their customary

places. In the office, some one picked up a letter, written in 1839,

by Henry A. Wise to John Tyler, in which the rebellion of the

slave States was foreshadowed. Here we remained over Sunday,

the 104th spending twenty-four hours of their stay on picket, which

included all the Sabbath. At sundown, Sunday afternoon, the few

men in camp turned out to listen to a discourse by chaplain Gries,

which concluded, the regimental band played a few appropriate

airs. The troops not on duty had a day of rest. We marched

from Baltimore cross roads on Monday morning, the 19th, in a

rain, with heavy roads. That afternoon we encamped near the

York river railroad, two miles below Dispatch station. Our brigade

lay in a wheat field; on the edge of a pine forest, while the army of

the Potomac, generally, covered the country south and west of us.

G-eneral McClellan passed us on the march, and cheer after cheer

went up from the boys as they recognized their Commanding-

General. By this time, the weather had cleared off and become

pleasant again. It was a bright, spring afternoon.

In the evening, I received an order to have my regiment under

arms early the next morning, for a reconnoissance toward the

Chickahominy. The force detailed was composed of the 104th, one

hundred picked men of the 52d, and two companies of the 11th

Maine. We marched up the railroad to within a few hundred

yards of the river, which is here twelve miles from Kichmond, and

is crossed by a trestle bridge. The enemy occupied the opposite

bank, and had fired the bridge, which was still burning. The part

spanning the stream, about sixty feet in length, was destroyed. A

80 ONE HUNDRED AND EOXJRTH

halt was ordered to reconnoitre the position of the enemy and as-

certain his probable strength. The river is bordered by a deep

swamp, covered with a heavy growth of timber and an almost im-

penetrable thicket. The detachments of the 11th Maine and 52d

Pennsylvania, and companies A, B, E, F, and K, of the 104th,

were sent forward in the swamp and deployed as skirmishers along

the stream between the railroad and Bottom's bridges, while the

other five companies were conducted by their flanks through a

swamp and bushes into an open meadow, where they were formed

as a support to the skirmishers. In a few minutes the occasional

crack of the rifle announced that our men were engaged with the

sharpshooters of the enemy. Captain Orem marched his company

directly up the railroad to the edge of the swamp and deployed it

along the bank. After captain Marple had taken his company into

the swamp, a rebel shell ranged along the ranks so close to the

heads of the men, that it would probably have killed most of them

had they not been ordered to sit down a few minutes before.

The enemy had the advantage of occupying higher ground, where

his guns were stationed. When the little battalion I led into

the meadow took up its position, the guns opened on us from the

opposite side of the river and kept up the fire most of the day.

Two of our batteries came down and replied; four pieces occupied

the hill in our rear, three to our right, on the edge of the railroad,

and two just to our left and rear, in the road that leads down to

Bottom's bridge. There we were obliged to stand for hours, our

own guns firing over us, and the enemy at us, without a chance of

replying. The situation was rather an embarrassing one for youno-

troops, but the boys behaved well. We were very fortunate in

escaping casualties. The troops returned to camp about dark with

only the loss of one man of the 52d, wounded. Prom Williams-

burg up, our encounters with the enemy had not been any more

serious than small cavalry aifairs, with little loss on either side. Atthe crossing of the Chickahominy, and afterward, we were prepared


to meet with a more stubborn resistance. All the way up the

Peninsula, we had heard much of what we might expect when we

reached this historic stream. The citizens told us the enemy in-

tended to make a stand there, and some of the rebel prisoners whom

we encountered threatened us with total defeat on its banks. So

much had been said on the subject, that many began to look upon

it as another fierce "Bermootha," that Shakspere wrote about.

The march of the army had been so directed that the corps of

Keyes and Heintzelman should approach the Ghickahominy at

Bottom's bridge, and holding the left, while Porter and Franklin

should occupy points higher up the stream, and form the right

wing of the army, Sumner marched his corps from West Point

direct to Baltimore cross roads, between which and the riyer he

took up his position, with his head-quarters in Dr. Tyler's house.

Ho was so situated as to be able to support either the right or the

left vfing as the occasion might require. Bottom's bridge had

been fixed upon as the place of crossing, and the demonstration

of Franklin was only a feint to distract the attention of the enemy.

The left wing moved again on the morning of the 21st; the 4th

corps leading and halted within a mile and a half of the bridge.

Our brigade encamped in a level field skirted by a beautiful pine

wood. The men of the 104th had just got their shelter tents

pitched, and were congratulating themselves on the prospect of

spending a quiet day in camp, when I received an order to march

the regiment down to the bridge immediately, and report to the

en"-ineer officer in charge. It was received with some grumbling

but was obeyed with cheerfulncEs. On the w.ny down, I overtook

general Keyes who told me that general McClellan was in advance

and wished me to cross the river and place my regiment on picket.

When we arrived at the bridge we found it had been destroyed by

the enemy, and our engineers were busily employed rebuilding it.

We crossed over in two files, one walking a line of logs, and the

other a foot-way of planks connected with the remains of the old

6

82 ONE HUNDRED AND FOUETH

bridge, wliicli had just been thrown across. The horses forded

it, the water being deep enough to swim them part of the distance.

We advanced about a mile and took up a position to watch the

main road comming down from Kichmond. Company B was

thrown forward a few hundred yards as pickets. The regi-

ment was divided and posted so as to command and enfilade the

road where it debouched into the bottom. There was no alarm

during the night and we returned to camp in the morning. The

104th was the first entire regiment that crossed the Chickahominy,

but a few detached companies, as skirmishers, preceded it over the

same afternoon. The next day we again crossed over with con-

siderable force, and made a reconnoissance toward White Oak

swamp, but discovered no evidence of the enemy. We were thus

engaged until toward evening, when I received an order to return

to the old camp for the knapsacks and recross the river the same

night, to be at hand for the operations of the morrow. We reached

camp about 8 o'clock, when the cooks were put to work to cook

rations. This done, we lay down and slept until 2 o'clock, when

we packed up and crossed the river for the sixth time. We had

left our arms in charge of a guard on the south bank the night

before, on our return from the reconnoissance, and wc reached the

stacks on our return about daylight.

All our sick we left on the north side of the river. The build-

ings in the neighborhood were taken possession of for hospital

purposes; but beyond a roof to shelter them, the accommodations

were of the meanest kind. The 104th was obliged to leave several

sick men behind. Among the buildings used for their accommo-

dation was an old frame, situated in the midst of the camps, on

the Williamsburg road. It had been a tavern in its day, and was

now so much dilapidated as hardly to be able to hold together.

Into this shanty we carried lieutenant Duncan, sick of typhoid

fever, where he was left, with many others, lying on his blanket

on the dirty floor. A few miles back a pleasant farm-house, owned


by a widow lady, and known as Hose cottage, was used for a

hospital. Not only the house itself, but the barn, the stable, and

all the other out-buildings were filled with the sick officers and

men.

On the night of the 23rd, general McClellan telegraphed orders

for a reconnoissance to be sent out the next morning up the Wil-

liamsport road toward the Seven Pines. It had already been at-

tempted by Gregg, Russell and Neil, but they found the enemy in

too much force to make headway against him. General Keyes,

who was entrusted with this matter, selected Naglee's brigade for

the duty. The instructions received from the head quarters of the

army of the Potomac were "To advance, if possible, to the Seven

Pines, or the forks of the direct road to Richmond and the road

turning to the right into the road leading from New bridge to

Richmond, and to hold the point if practicable." The country was

to be well reconnoitred on both flanks; pickets stationed on all the

roads branching off in our rear, and a chain of cavalry sentinels es-

tablished to communicate with corps head quarters. The gen-

eral was authorized, generally, to push the reconnoissance as far

toward Richmond as practicable, without incurring too much risk.

The road referred to, as " turning to the right into the road leading

from New bridge to Richmond," was afterward known in the mil-

itary operations in that vicinity, as the "Nine Mile " road. " Seven

Pines " is the point where it comes into the Williamsburg road.

Naglee was able to use only two regiments of his own brigade on

this reconnoissance, the 52nd and the 104th Pennsylvania, the place

of the absent onesbeiqg supplied by the 85th Pennsylvania and the"

85th and 98th New York regiments. The remainder of the force

consisted of battery H., and Regan's Tth battery. New York artil-

lery, and Gregg's Pennsylvania cavalry. My men had barely time

to boil and drink their coffee when an aid-de-camp rode up and or-

dered us to get under arms. We led the advance up the Williams-

burg road, and were soon joined by the other troops. The first

84 ^ ONE HUNDRED AND FOURTH

pickets of tlie enemy were encountered near Mile run, wlio fell

back before us. About 10 o'clock a deserter was brought in, who

gave information that the troops in front of us were Hatton's bri-

gade, of five Tennessee regiments, two batteries of artillery and a

portion of Stuart's cavalry, the whole being under the command of

general Stuart. It commenced to rain soon after we marched, and

in a short time the roads were deep with mud. The enemy was

found in force just beyond Savage's station, partly concealed by tim-

ber. Naglee immediately made the proper disposition to engage

him. The 52nd Pennsylvania was formed on the right of the road,

with some of the companies deployed, and the 104th in line of bat-

tle on the left, covered by a wood in front. Regan's battery was

unlimbered on the edge of a piece of timber on the right of the

road. Two companies of the 52nd, and A and F of the 104th,

under captain Eogers, were thrown forward as skirmishers to clear

a grain-field and some farm buildings of rebel sharp shooters on

the right of the road; while companies B and D, under command

of major Gries, were ordered to clear the wood on the left. The

regiment was now moved forward near the wood which the skir-

mishers entered. The enemy's line of battle was formed behind

this wood, three quarters of a mile from the Seven Pines corner,

extending across the road, with their artillery partly concealed be-

hind a farm house. The 85th Pennsylvania was pushed up the

rail road; the 98th held to support the batteries, and the 85th NewYork kept in reserve.

U<:(^^^ /^TT^ 4 /^''(^_


CHAPTER VII.

Skirmish at Savage's station.—Corp'l. Thompson.—Private Brown killed.—Went into oao^.—

Advance to Fair Oaks.—Firing between the pickets.—Camp changed to Nine Mile road.

—

Position of the army.—Casoy fortifies.-Storm of May 30th.—Companies go on picket.—

Camp of the 104th.—Aid of Gen. Johnston captured.—Enemy determined to attack.—Our

pickets driven in.—Regiment gets under arms.—Battle commenced.—Position of Na-

glee's brigade.^-Battle becomes general.—Movement of troops.—Battle closed for the

day.—Our loss of ground.—Battle renewed Sunday morning.—Enemy driven from the

field.—Conduct of Casey's division.—What the enemy said of it.

THE foregoing was the position of the force at the time this spir-

ited little affair, near Savage's station, commenced. Our

skirmishers were no sooner deployed than the enemy opened upon

them. On the right they had advanced several hundred yards

across intervening fields and an orchard to a wood, which he held in

some force. Several of his sharp shooters were collected about the

farm buildings, whence they fired on our men as they advanced

;

but they were driven from the shelter and closely pursued to the

wood. These skirmishing operations were in full view from where

the six companies of the regiment stood in line, and the gallant con-

duct of our men was loudly applauded. It had the appearance of

a hunt for game. On the left our skirmishers were concealed from

view by the timber, but the receding sound of their rifles told us

they were driving the enemy. The voluntary had now been well

played and it was time for the dancing music to strike up. It was


not delayed. The report of a cannon was heard to the front, and

at the same moment, almost, a shell dashed among us, but no one

was hurt. Eegan's battery replied and shelled the wood and the

enemy's position, and with a little practice became quite efiFeotive.

Major Gries, who by this time had advanced to the front of the

wood with his skirmishers, kept the artillery advised whether their

shells fell short or went beyond, by sending men to the rear, which

enabled the gunners to correct their range. A lively cannonade

was maintained for several hours. The heaviest fire of the enemy

seemed directed where my six companies were formed, as if they

supposed we had a large force drawn up^ behind the wood. The

men stood the shelling admirably. There was a little dodging now

and then when an ugly piece of iron came too near one's head to

leave much windage, but that is pardonable. The enemy was pro-

vided with a great assortment of projectiles, even down to wrought

nails. As his batteries had annoyed us considerably it was found

necessary to drive them from their position. About half past four

our artillery was advanced, supported by cavalry and infantry.

Mink's battery, supported by the lOlth and 52nd Pennsylvania,

and 85th New York, was brought into action within four hundred

yards of the enemy's lines, which threw him into confusion and

caused him to retire from the field. Naglee was preparing to follow,

when an aid from general Keyes came on the ground with an order

that there be no further pursuit, lest it "should hring on a general

engagement." This closed the action and left the victory with us.

Our loss in the skirmish was slight. That of the whole command

did not amount to more than a dozen killed and wounded, of which

the 104th had one of the former and four of the latter. The first

man hit was corporal Thompson of company D., while engaged with

the skirmishers in the wood. A rifle ball struck him in the stomach

and ranged round to the back where it was taken out. On receiv-

ing his wound his conduct was that of a hero. Stepping out of

.lanks he leaned his rifle against a tree, and remarked to his com-


rades, " Boijs, I am done for, hut you stand up to it." After suffer-

ing eighteen montlis lie died in hospital at Philadelpliia. I heard

and saw a shell coming through the wood, taking off the tops and

limbs of trees in its way. As it appeared to be coming directly to-

ward the spot where I stood I was a good deal interested to know

where it would alight. The regiment was then drawn up behind a

fence that ran along near the wood. It struck a top rail in front of

company C, whence it ricoched, hit private Brown in the head,

killing him instantly, and then struck lieutenant Groff, command-

ing the company, full in the right breast, contusing him severely,

besides breaking a rib or two. He was knocked down almost sense-

less, and the shell fell at his feet. He fully recovered. There were

many narrow escapes. Lieutenant Yardley moved his head to one

side just in time to prevent a shell, that passed along, taking it off.

The rifles were hit in the hands of the men, and one had his mouth

filled with dirt by a fragment of a shell that struck near him. The

enemy had a man stationed in the top of a tree, at the upper corner

of the wood, to direct the fire of their artillery. One of our batte-

ries trained a gun on the tree and at the first fire brought him down.

From the information given by the inhabitants, the loss of the ene-

my must have been quite severe. General Naglee had two horses

killed by the enemy's sharp shooters.

After the skirmish we went into camp in the edge of a piece of

timber and bushes, and remained there until the next afternoon.

It rained from early morning until nearly evening, and the ground

was completely saturated and trodden up into mud. Exposure and

fatigue had put a number of men on the sick list. Sunday after-

noon we moved up the road about a mile and lay all night in the

timber, the pickets being advanced several hundred yards. We

were under arms again at 3 A. M., Monday morning, the 26th, to

continue the reconnoissance, the 104th leading. Captain Davis, of

the 52nd, with his skirmishers felt the way in front. An enemy's

force of cavalry, infantry and artillery approached the picket line.


but retired without opening on it. They were evidently reconnoi-

tering our position. Our picket line was now advanced to a point

five miles from Kichmond, and the 104th, the most advanced regi-

ment at the time, was stationed at the Fair Oaks farm house, where

there was a large wood pile on the left of the road. The rest of

the brigade was but a short distance in our rear. The same day

the whole division moved up and established itself at the Seven

Pines. Later in the day the other four regiments of Naglee's bri-

gade were brought to the front and encamped on a line with us, the

104th being the only regiment on the left of the road. We did not

pitch our tents. The rifles were stacked in a lane that ran between

the house and barn. The first twenty-four hours the men remained

day and night by their arms and did not take ofi' their equipments.

Two brass six pounders were stationed in the road on our right.

We occupied this situation three days, furnishing details for

picket, and supporting the line. As it was much exposed, we were

frequently under arms day and night. There was] constant firing

between the pickets of the two armies, and the casualties frequent.

A number of the enemy was brought ,in, deserters and prisoners,

some of the latter wounded. During the night of the 27th, there

was some unusual stir among the enemy in our immediate front.

The rumbling of wagons and artillery carriages, and the word of

command of officers could be distinctly heard, and lasted several

hours. Prisoners who came in the next day, reported that it was a

change of the brigade on picket. ,He was probably then getting

his troops on the field for the battle which was fought on the 31st.

On the night of the 28th, I was sent to the lines to receive, and

escort to division head quarters, a commissioner appointed by the

legislature of Virginia to visit the Insane Asylum at Williamsburg.

The night was intensely dark, and the recent heavy rains had ren-

dered the roads almost impassable. A day or two after we came to

the front, we were ordered to send all baggage across the Chicka-

hominy, in order to have it out of the way in case of an attack.


Those wto disobeyed, were rewarded by losing all tlieir effects in

the engagement that followed. On the morning of the 29th, the

camp of the 104th was moved over to the Nine Mile road, a quarter

of a mile to the right of our old position, and on the same ground

where the 52d had been encamped. The day before, general Keyes

had ordered Casey to move forward the other two brigades of his

division to the clearing around Fair Oats, which was the occasion

of our change of location. Couch's division at the same time was

ordered to move up and occupy Casey's old ground at Seven Pines.

The regiment was encamped in the bushes, with head quarters in

an old log cabin that stood on the road-side. A space twenty feet

wide was cleared in front of the camp for the color line, and an open-

ing made through the bushes to the left, to enable the regiment to

march out by the flank to the Williamsburg road. The other regi-

ments of the brigade were encamped in our vicinity, and our picket

line extended past Garnet's house down to the Chickahominy.

The position of the troops on the south bank of the Chickahominy,

on the 30th of May, was as follows, viz. : Casey's on both sides the

"Williamsburg road at Fair Oaks; Couch's division at the Seven

Pines, half a mile in the rear; Kearney's division was stretched along

the Richmond and York river railroad, from near Savage's station

back to the bridge across the river. Hooker's division was posted

on the edge of White Oak swamp, to watch the crossing. The rest

of the army of the Potomac was on the north bank, Sumner's corps

lying about six miles above Bottom's bridge. Naglee's brigade held

the advance of the army. As soon as Casey was in position, he went

to work to fortify. He threw up a redoubt on the left of the Wil-

liamsburg road, with rifle-pits on either side, and a heavy abattis

was formed by slashing the timber in front of the camps. The

troops were kept hard at work strengthening the position down to

the very moment the action began. General Naglee was engaged,

with a strong detail from his own command, building a bridge over

the Chickahominy at a point opposite where Sumner lay. The pio-


neer corps of the 104t]i was at work on it when the firing commenced,

and were obliged to remain there a couple of days before they were

able to return. This was called the Grapevine bridge, but when

afterward rebuilt by the engineers, was named the Woodbury. The

country around Fair Oaks and Seven Pines is level, heavily tim-

bered, with a dense growth of underbrush, and swampy. On the

left of our position, the picket line extended to the White Oak

swamp.

The march up the Peninsula, and the hardship and exposure in-

cident to it, had a telling effect on the physical condition of the

regiment. The morning report, on the 27th of May, showed 31

of&cers and 665 enlisted men for duty, a reduction of 151 men

in less than seven weeks, all by disease, except about half a

dozen. Between the 3rd and 19th, 103 men were sent to the rear,

sick. Besides the officers already named as having fallen sick on

the march, lieutenant-colonel Nields was disabled by a sunstroke

on the 27th, and went north. He returned for duty the 16th of

June.

We were in too close contact with the enemy to remain long with-

out a battle, but it came sooner than was expected. The night of

the 30th of May will long be remembered by the old army of the

Potomac on account of the fearful storm that prevailed. The rain

fell in torrents; the lightning flashed with unusual vividness, and

the thunder was fearful. It would have required no great stretch

of the imagination to belive a great battle going on between the op-

posing armies. The storm seemed prophetic of the terrible engage-

ment that followed. The country was flooded with water, and the

low swampy ground was converted into an almost impassable quag-

mire. The Chickahominy overflowed its banks, and threatened the

destruction of all the bridges. Bottom's bridge, the reliable con-

nection between the two wings of the army, was considerably da-

maged.

Eriday afternoon company F, under command of lieutenant Hibbs,


went out on picket, and relieved company H. Saturday morning

company E, under captain Harvey, relieved B, and company Kwas detailed to go out to relieve F. It was ready to leave camp

when the regiment was formed for action, but fell into line with the

other seven companies. The sun rose clear that morning, and the

day was warmer than usual for the season. The forenoon was un-

usually quiet. We had no suspicion of an engagement at our head-

quarters. The chaplain was engaged most of the morning reple-

nishing the mess chest of the field and staff, which, during the late

operations, had become much reduced. He filled it with a supply

for several days. Little did he imagine at the time that none of

the rations he was providing with such care would be eaten by the

mess. He was laying up a store of good things for the enemy.

The evening before, captain Duncan and lieutenant Artman ob-

tained permission to visit the field hospitals across the Chickahominy,

and went down the railroad in the morning train. The captain

removed his brother, who had been left sick on the march, to White

House, whence he was sent north to recover. Mr. Artman went

down to look after a sick man of his company who had been left on

the road up. He was found too sick to be removed and died before

night. His name was Joseph Heist, of company D. Captain

Duncan did not return until the nefxt day : but lieutenant Artman

returned to the front some time in the afternoon and joined a

Michigan regiment.

About 10 o'clock, a. m., some of the pickets of our brigade cap-

tured and brought in a rebel officer, who proved to be an aid-de-

camp of general Johnston. He was conducted to the rear, through

the camp of the 104th, down the Nine Mile road. A stafi"-officer

of the enemy's commander-in-chief being found inside our lines,

connected with the fact that the cars were running out of Rich-

mond all the night before, was a suspicious circumstance. The

enemy was about to attack us. Taking advantage of the unfavora-

ble situation of our army, communication between the two wings


being apparently cut off, by the rapid rise in the river and tie

partial destruction of the bridges, he determined to fall upon and

crush the left wing before reinforcements could arrive. For this

purpose the grand divisions of generals Hill, Huger, Longstreet and

G. W. Smith were to be hurled upon Casey's weak division on the

31st of May. Before noon on that day the conviction at head-

quarters that the enemy would attack us became so strong, that all

the troops of the 4th corps were got under arms and the artillery

horses harnessed. About half past 11 o'clock three shells fired

from his lines fell within our camps, the signal, as we afterwards

learned, for his movement to begin. An hour afterward his troops

commenced driving in our pickets on the Williamsburg road. Aregiment was sent out to reinforce them, but that was soon com-

pelled to retire and the enemy came crushing through the woods

and bushes to our first line of battle.

In the camp of the 104th we had no expectation of a battle.

The men were lolling about in the shade of the forest trees after

dinner. At regimental headquarters the mess were sitting in front

of the cabin they occupied, discussing the events of the campaign.

Shortly after 12 o'clock, an aid of general Casey came galloping

across to my quarters with an order for the regiment to get under

arms immediately. The line wafi formed in a few minutes. The

alarm was supposed to be caused by an ordinary daily attack on the

pickets. In a few moments another order was recdved for the

regiment to march out by the left flank and support Spratt's bat-

tery, near the "Williamsburg road. We formed on the right of the

artillery on the edge of the timber, and a little ia the rear of the

battery. In our immediate front was a clearing of considerable extent

affording us a good opportunity to fire upon the enemy as he ad-

vanced. The battery consisted of six ten-pounder rifle Parrott's.

It was my intention to cause the regiment to lie down in the timber

for protection until the enemy should advance within close range,

but they were not permitted to remain where I placed them. The


line was hardly dressed when an aid directed me to advance the re-

giment about two hundred yards into the clearing and move to the

right, which was done as quickly as possible. We were now about

one hundred yards in front of the battery we were sent to support.

Our position was unfortunate as it prevented the guns playing on

the enemy, except directly in front, and exposed us to a concen-

trated fire.

The battle commenced about 1 o'clock. At this time, the divi-

sions of Casey and Couch were the only troops at the front in a

position to ofier immediate resistance to the advance of the enemy.

These were posted as follows :—Naglee's brigade on the right of

the "Williamsburg road extending to Garnett's field, with one regi-

ment across the railroad ; Wessel's brigade was on the left of

the Williamsburg road, a portion of it in the rifle-pits ; while

Palmer's brigade was in the rear of ^Vessel's, in reserve. The

batteries were harnessed and occupied favorable positions. The

division of Couch was on the left, posted at the Seven Pines, more

than half a mile in the rear, and extending along the Nine Mile

road, and across the railroad near Pair Oak's station. Besides

these, the nearest supporting troops were Hooker's division between

Bottom's bridge and White Oak Swamp, several miles in the rear.

The action became general as soon as the pickets were driven in.

Casey was attacked by an overwhelming force in front and on both

flanks at the same time, and after more than two hours' severe

fighting, was oblige to give way! Couch was sent forward to his

support, bat was not able to resist the superior numbers of the

enemy. General Keyes sent to Ileintzelman for reinforcements,

but his leading brigade did not arrive until 5 o'clock, P. M., too

late to recover the ground already lost. General Sumner crossed

the Chickahominy with two divisions at half-past 2 o'clock, and

hastened to the front as rapidly as possible. It was late in the day

when he reached such position as enabled him to paticipate in the

battle. A large column of the enemy attempted to turn our right


flank on the right of the railroad, and which had overpowered a

brigade of Couch's division sent to stop its advance, now met Sum-

ner coming upon the field, and was checked and turned back

with large loss. Couch, meanwhile, had turned upon his pur--

suers, and was gallantly holding them at bay when Sumner's columns

came up. Naglee's brigade, on the right of the first line, fought

unaided, and troops never made a better defence against overpower-

ing numbers, but he was obliged to fall back, and for the balance

of the day, his regiments united with those of the second line.

Sumner opened communication with our forces on the Williams-

burg road, and maintained a bloody contest with the enemy until

night put an end to the battle. The enemy pushed a large force

round our left flank but was partially cheeked. The brigades

of Jameson and Berry, which had been pushed forwad up the

"Williamsburg road, one on the right, and the other on left, so as

to check the advance of the enemy in that direction, were cut ofiF

from our army, and were only able to regain our camps by a night

march toward White Oak swamp. General Hooker was ordered up

from White Oak swaaip, but it was dark before he arrived at Savage's

station, three miles from the field of battle. The badness of the roads

greatly retarded the march of his and Sumaer's column. When the

battle closed for the day, our advance was at the rifle-pits, in rear of

the Seven Pines. The result of the struggle was, that the enemy

occupied all the camps of Casey's division, and the greater part of

those of Couch. Our line on the Williamsburg road, from where

the extreme picket rested in the morning, to that occupied now, had

been forced back full three quarters of a mile ; and at other points,

a greater or less distance according to the shape of our line.

During Saturday night, dispositions were made to renew the battle

the next morning, should the enemy show a desire to continue it. Thetroops which had borne the brunt of the fight on the 31st of May,

many of the regiments and brigades being much shattered, were

collected together and reorganized. Some of them occupied the


rifle pits near Seven Pines that night, many of whom, after beino-

driven from the field re-entered the action later in the day and did good

service. Fresh troops were ordered up. Hooker's division bivou-

acked about Savage's station. Richardson's division came upon the

field between sunset and dark, arriving from the north bank of the

Chiokahominy, which he had much difficulty in crossing. The mud

was so deep that he was compelled to leave all his artillery behind,

but it was brought up during the night. Sedgwick's division , of Sum-

ner's corps, held substantially the same position he occupied across

the railroad, when the battle of Saturday had ceased. Richardson

was placed on his left to connect with Kearney. French's brigade

was posted along the railroad, while Howard and Meagher formed

the second and third lines. This disposition was mainly on the

right of the railroad. On its left, and between it and the Wil-

liamsburg road, and on both sides of the latter, were the remains

of the divisions of Casey and Couch, Hooker's division, and other

troops whose designation I do not remember. The enemy com-

menced skirmishing with Richardsoq's division shortly after day-

light on Sunday morning, and soon afterward he opened a heavy fire

of musketry along the whole line, and advanced in column of attack.

The firing continued for an hour when he was repulsed. When

Hooker heard the firing he advanced up the railroad with his

division. The enemy made a stout resistance, but was pushed back

and finally driven from the field. The loss was light compared with

that of the day before, and the fighting by no means of so sangui-

nary a character. The greater part of the battle-field of Saturday

was again in our possession, and our lines re-established, but some

way inside of those we held before the attack on the 31st ultimo.

The conduct of Casey's division, at Fair Oaks, has been severely,

and most unjustly, criticized. The telegraphic report of the battle

to the war department, by general McClellan, stated that it "gave

way unaccountably and discreditably." This report was made on

96 OXE HUNDEllD A>'D TOXTRTU

the strenfftli of information uirnished by general Heintzelman, the

BTening of the battle. He sent a dispatch abont 9 o'clock to

Mc-Clellan. stating that when he got to the front, "the most of

general Casey's diviiioa had dispareed," and that he "saw no rea-

son '.rhy we should have beea driven back." So far as general

Heiutzelmaa is concerned, it may be asked whether he was in a

position to judge of the conduct of Casey's division ? I do not

think he was. He was not on the field where the heavy fighting

was done that afternoon. His head-quarters were several miles

in the rear, toward White Oak swamp, and Iry reason of delay, the

request for reinforcements did not reach him until about three

o'clock, and it was five o'clock when his advance arrived at our then

front. The battle had then been progressing four hours, and was

nearly over; the enemy was in possession of the camps of both Ca-

sey's and Couch's divisions, and the troops of Heintzelman did not

get nearer than half a mile of the ground on which Casey fought

for two hours before he was driven back. By five o'clock he had

his ko.",d-quarters established in the y:\Td at Mr. Savant's house

three miles from the field, where a part of Lis staff, at least, re-

mained the alternoon; and admitting that he went as far toward

the front as his troops, which is not often the case with corps com-

manders, he was not in a very good position to judge why Casey

-was driven back." Xeither he nor his troops saw the most stub-

born fighting of the di'.v.

Heintzehnan has the reputation of beiag the enemy of general

Casey, a reason with many why he could not sec how he came to be"driven back." The official report tells why. It s;iys: "Theenemy came on in heavy force, attacking general Casey simultane-

ously in front and on both flanks. General Xaglee's brigade, withthe batteries of general Casey's division, which general Xaglee di-

rected, struggled gallantly to maintain the redoubt and rifle-pits

against the overwhelming masses of the enemy. They were rein-

forced by one regiment from general Peck's brigade. The left of

PENNSTLVANIA REGIMENT. 97

this position was, however, soon tnrned, and a sharp cross-fire

opened upon the gunners and the men in the rifle-pits: some of

the guns in the redoubt were taken, and the whole line was driven

back upon the position occupied by general Couch." McClellan

very clearly answers the question: Casey's division "was driven

back by the overwhelming masses of the enemy." If general

Heintzelman had made proper inquiry of those who knew, he would

not have had occasion to send that unjust dispatch. General Mc-

Clellan corrected his first erroneous impression of the conduct of

Casey's division, but so far as I am informed, Heintzelman never

has. If more testimony were required on the point, we have it in

the return of the casualties on that day. The total loss is five

thousand, seven hundred and thirty-seven, of which Keyes' corps,

consisting of the divisions of Casey and Couch, sustained three thou-

sand, one hundred and twenty, while the loss of all the rest of the

army was but two thousand, six hundred and seventeen. Casey's

weak division alone sustained a loss of about seventeen hundred, one-

third of the entire casualties on that bloody day. These facts speak

for themselves, and an unprejudiced public can determine whether

there was a reason for the division giving way. General Heintzel-

man "saw no reason," because he was not in the proper place to

see it. The losses are evidence that the division did not retire

without making proper resistance. That night Heintzelman took

a train at Savage's station and went down to Cold Harbor to visit

the General-in-Chief.

If other evidence be wanting, it is fortunately at hand. It comes

from those who were then our enemy, and their testimony is supposed

to be at least disinterested. Colonel Switzer, of McClellan's staff, who

had charge of the exchange of prisoners on James river, in the fall

of 1862, says, that in a conversation with major-general Hill, who

commanded the rebel advance at Seven Pines or Fair Oaks, he

asked that general's opinion respecting the conduct of general Ca-

sey's troops there. General Hill said

:

98 ONE HONDRED AND FOURTH

" I know general Casey's division has been censured, but we are

surprised at it. The division fought as well as I ever want to see

men fight, and after it gave way before our superior numbers, we

had nothing more to fight."

What further testimony can one desire ? I cannot close this chap-

ter without paying a just tribute to the gallantry of generals Casey

and Naglee. The former sat on his large, iron-gray horse, on the

Williamsburg road, in the thickest of the fight, encouraging his troops.

He was right up at the front, where division commanders do not always

go. I particularly noticed his exposed situation, and do not see how

he escaped the storm of bullets. Naglee was every where. He is a

sort of thunderbolt in battle. He was away on the extreme right

of our lines when the volley of the 104th announced that the battle

had begun on the left. He came dashing toward us through field

and wood to be with his brigade. In the warmest of the contest

he dashed by the regiment, cap in hand, the men giving him three

hearty cheers, and passed toward the left. He was now seen di-

recting a battery, now rallying a regiment, and until the battle

ended, he was in the midst of it wherever he could be of service.

These two officers retain in a large degree the confidence and esteem

of the men who served under them.


CHAPTER VIII.

f- ^

Battle of Fair OalEs.—104tli Firoa First Volley.—PoBition of tlogimeut.—Hard pressed.—

A

Charge made.—Flag ia danger.—How rescued.—Major Gries wounded.—Wagons sent to

rear.—Regiment retires.—23d Pennsylvania.—Chaplain Gries and wounded.—Companies

B and F on picket.—Regiment reformed.—Continued fighting.—Loss of camp equipage.

—

Men captured.—Lieut. McDowell.—Burying the dead.—Gloomy time after battle.

—

Regiment inspected.

IDO not profess to give a detailed account of the military opera-

tions on the Peninsula, as I am not writing a history of the

campaign, but that of a single regiment of the Army of the Po-

tomac. The 104th opened the battle at Pair Oaks and was the

first to receive the overwhelming shock of the enemy. It was

drawn up in advance of the rest of the division, and was the only

regiment on the right of the Williamsburg road within sight at the

time the action began. It stood quite alone. When we moved out

into the clearing, the new line was dressed with almost the same

precision as at an evening parade, and the guides had hardly been

called to their posts before the bullets of the enemy began to fall

into our ranks. It delivered the first fire on that eventful day,

which was a general volley that sent four hundred rifle bullets

whistling among the enemy. This announced to the army that the

battle was begun. The wood in front, within good range, was filled

with the enemy and the execution must have been considerable.

—

The action immediately_^became general, both parties loading and


firing as rapidly as possible. My men began to fall, killed and

wounded—the former, of course, remaining where they fell, while

most of the latter were taken from the field. The fire grew

hotter and hotter, but the men stood up to the bloody work firmly,

and were as cheerful as on parade. The line had been dressed

in a clear up furrow, where cartridge papers lay by the basket full.

The right rested on the timber. Seeing the enemy was making a

movement to outflank us in that direction, companies A and B were

pushed into the wood to prevent it. Mean while he had come out

of the timber in front of us into the clearing in great force, and

was reforming his broken ranks rapidly without slacking his fire.

At this time a large white flag, with a black square in the middle,

was observed in his ranks. My men supposed it to be a flag of

truce, and some of them asked what should be done, when they

were directed to fire at it as rapidly as possible. A volley brought

down the bearer, when it was immediately seized and raised by an-

other. Soon afterward they raised their new national flag, a white

.

cross with stars, on a blue field. Many of the men had white mus-

lin tied around their hats.

The regiment had now been under fire for an hour and a half,

and a large number of men had fallen. The line had been main-

tained unusually well, and the men fought more like veterans of an

hundred battles than being under fire for almost the first time.

The enemy was pressing us in front and flank, and his fire had be-

come so warm as to endanger the battery we were supporting. Heapproached within a short distance of our right. At this crisis, I

determined to order a charge, thinking it might check his advance.

I had no expectation of crossing bayonets with the foe, a thing

which is rarely done on the field of battle, but I hoped to gain

time. After consulting with major Gries, whose judgment agreed

with mine, the men were ordered to cease firing and fix bayonets,

which was done with great promptness considering their excited con-

dition. The command was then given, " Charge bayonets ! fm-ward


double-quick! march!" wlien the meu sprang forward toward the

enemy, with a tremendous yell. We advanced about a hundred

yards oyer a piece of ground covered with dwarf bushes. In the

way was an old worm fence that had not been observed before,

which cut the old line of battle at an angle of about thirty-seven

degrees. The men sprang over this obstacle into the clearing

where the enemy was, and immediately began to reform and open

fire. Both flags were carried over the fence by their bearers, who

stuck the stafis into the ground and lay down by them. This

movement had the desired effect. It was fool-hardy under the cir-

cumstances, but it staggered the enemy, and the heavy fire at once

re-opened kept them in check. Seeing we must relinquish the

ground unless soon re-enforced", I dispatched lieutenant Ashenfelter

across to the Williamsburg road to request general Casey to send a

regiment to support us. He passed twice between tl^e fire of both

armies and returned unharmed. The general desired us to hold on

a few minutes longer when re-enforcements would be sent us. It

must be understood that at this time the 104th was engaged single-

handed in front of the line of the army with a greatly superior

force.

Three hours had now elapsed since the regiment went into action

and more than one-third of the men had fallen;—our promised re-

enforcements did not arrive, and we could hold the ground no longer.

There was no order given to retire, but we were literally pushed

back by the superior force of the enemy pressing against us. In-

dividual soldiers came almost near enough to strike my men with

the musket. The regiment retired slowly and sullenly, not an offi-

cer or man running. The enemy made a bold effort to capture our

colors. In the excitement and confusion of retiring one flag was

left on his side of the fence, the staff still sticking in the ground.

Those nearest to it were ordered to rescue it, when major Gries,

orderly-sergeant Myers, and color-sergeant Purcell sprang for it.

Purcell had already secured his own standard, and with it in his


hand he jumped over the fence and seized the other. The enemy

saw the movement and several of his men rushed for it at the

same time, while they kept up their fire, but they were not

quick enough. Purcell reached it first, seized the staff and sprang

for the fence with both flags in his hands. As he mounted the

fence he was struck by a bullet and knocked over, carrjing the

colors with him. When he got up he handed one flag to sergeant

Myers, and started to the rear with the other, but becoming faint

from loss of blood, he gave it to corporal Miohener who brought it

off in safety. Both flags were delivered to the regiment that eve-

ning after the battle. It was in the attempt to save the flag that

major Gries received the wound of which he afterward died.

When the firing commenced quartermaster Hendrie loaded up

the regimental wagons and sent them to the rear, under charge of

sergeant White, who conducted them to near Savage's station. Sur-

geon Peck, with the medical department, retired early to the same

place, more than three miles to the rear ; and as assistant surgeon

Robinson did not rejoin the regiment, from detached duty, until

next day, we were left without a medical officer at the front. Chap-

lain Gries, who had some previous knowledge of the healing art,

remained at the camp, which was under fire, and rendered valuable

services in dressing the wounded. When the regiment retired

from the field, the enemy was pressing us on both flanks, and in a

few minutes our retreat would have been cut off. He was already

shooting down the horses of our battery, which was some way in

the rear of our line of battle. All the pieces had been hauled off

before this and one caisson only fell into his hands. A number of

our men were left on the field, and about twenty of them were found

the following Monday in a small house just to the left of our last

line of battle. They had crawled, or been carried, there after the

battle. Many of the men emptied their cartridge boxes, and they

obtained a fresh supply from the boxes of their dead and wounded

companions, lying around them. The rifles had been discharged


SO often that the barrels were hot enough to burn the hand. The

grooves had become furred up, and I noticed some of the men place

their ramrod against a tree to force the cartridge home.

When I reached my own camp, which was not more than three

hundred yards from where the battle had been fought down to this

time, I found some fifty of my men, and a few of&cers there. The

others had gone down the Nine Mile road, and captain Rogers

was dispatched to halt them. Our little cabin was filled with

wounded, and chaplain Gries was sending them to the rear in am-

bulances as fast as he could. The 23rd Pennsylvania regiment,

under major Ely, was drawn up in my camp, and I directed cap-

tain Walters to collect the men of the 104th, and cause them to

fall into ranks on his left. The fire of the enemy soon became so

warm at this point that our force was obliged to retire, as we were

completely flanked, and sought a securer position further to the

rear. An hour before I had received a wound from a rifle ball in

the left elbow joint, which now becoming very painful, I went to

the field hospital where it was examined and dressed by surgeon

Van Ettan, of the 56th New York, and assistant surgeon Stavely,

of the 103rd Pennsylvania. I did not rejoin my regiment again

that day until near sunset, when the battle had ceased.

Many of the wounded are indebted to chaplain Gries for being

taken to the rear and escaping falling into the hands of the enemy.

When he heard the regiment was falling back, he seized three am-

bulances that stood near our camp, and putting his brother, the

major, and the worst wounded men into them, hurried them, and

such other men as could walk, down the Nine Mile road. He came

out on the Williamsburg road near the Seven Pines, and continued

down it to Savage's station, through the mud and the crowds of

wounded hurrying to the rear. Surgeon Peck had already arrived

there. Mr. Gries asked a staff officer of general Heintzelman some

question as to the disposition of the wounded, and received in reply,

" Don't know, Sir, we have nothing to do with that, Sir." Satis-


fied that he could expect no assistance from that quarter, he acted

on the authority of necessity and humanity, and seized the kitchen

and other out-buildings, which were soon filled with wounded. The

barn and carriage-house were next filled—^when he caused the cows

to be turned from the stable, which was bedded with clean corn-

fodder to receive the stream of disabled men. The chaplain was

engaged until 11 o'clock dressing wounds. One train of cars, filled

with the wounded, had already been sent ofi' to the White House,

and its return anxiously awaited to carry others down. It returned

about midnight, and the worst wounded were carried down to the

station and put aboard. They were ordered off, and the locomo-

tive was taken to convey general Heintzelman down to see general

McClellan. The wounded, who could not be carried back to the

barn, were obliged to lie in the rain until day-break, when the train

returned to take them down. It was a night of agonizing pain to

many, and before morning dawned, a number had died. The ac-

commodations for the wounded were of the most meagre kind, scarce

worthy to be called such. Captain Holmes, who was on duty at

the commissary depot, at the station, was exceedingly kind to the

wounded, and assisted the chaplain in taking care of them.

As has been already mentioned, company P went on picket Friday

afternoon. It was under the command of lieutenant Hibbs, the

captain remaining in camp. The company was stationed as a re-

serve on the left of the railroad, about five hundred yards from

where it is crossed by the Nine Mile road. At noon, lieutenant

Albertson came from the front and reported a brigade of the enemy

as crossing the railroad and moving toward the Williamsburg road,

half a mile beyond our lines. About the same time they heard the

report of the three guns, the enemy's signal for the attack to begin.

Shortly afterward, company P and two companies of the 11th Maine

fell back and joined the 56th New York, under lieutenant-colonel

Jourdan. They moved down the Nine Mile road, the enemy open-

ing upon them mean while with artillery, and killing one man of


the 56tli. Lieutenant Hibbs met captain Johnston, of general Na-

glee's staff, and by him was ordered to support a battery he pointed

out. He marched to obey the orders, but when near the old camps

of Couch's division, captain Marple came up and took command of

the company. They continued to fall back until just in rear of the

23d Pennsylvania, when a halt was ordered, and a line formed just

behind a natural swell in the ground. The command was-composed

of men of the 56th New York, 104th Pennsylvania, and from such

other regiments as could be collected at that point. In numbers it

made a respectable battalion. Company F was on the left, and ex-

tended across the Nine Mile road; the battery still further to the

left. Soon they were joined by captains Rogers, Corcoran and

Swartzlander, and lieutenants Heaney, McCoy and Ashenfelter, and

quartermaster Hendrie. Major Sharp, of the 56th New York, being

the ranking officer present, assumed command. Just before this

time, Corcoran and Hendrie had collected a few men to make a

stand, which general Keyes had placed in command of the captain.

About the time Sharp's battalion was formed, general Kearney

rode up and assumed their direction. He ordered them to advance

to the top of the knoll, and lie down to await the enemy. Soon the

rebel column made its appearance coming through the timber, turn-

ing their right flank. He now poured into our troops a warm fire,

which made their position untenable. The firing lasted about twenty

minutes before the line gave way, our men having but little oppor-

tunity to reply. Here Swartzlander and Corcoran were both badly

wounded. It was not far from half-past 5 o'clock. Our force

now broke and retired. Hendrie and McCoy went to the rear in

company, taking the direction of some old buildings that stood near

the Nine Mile road, and about a hundred yards in rear of the place

where the last stand was made. Hendrie passed round the right of

the buildings to attempt to reach the Williamsburg road, where he

met a volley from the woods, which wounded him badly in the left

arm. He managed to walk until he met an ambulance, which took


him to the hospital. Lieutenant McCoy escaped unhurt. ^ Lieu-

tenant Aslienfelter was wounded in the ankle in getting olF the field,

and was carried to a hut in the wood, where he spent the night.

Here he met two young sprigs of the surgical profession. While

feigning to he in a doze, he overheard them planning to out off his

foot, on the ground that it would be such a "nice operation" for

them. T'he lieutenant informed them that he must be a party to

that affair, and that they could not peform any such operation on

him while he could handle his sword. This put a stop to their pro-

fessional aspirations in that direction.

Company E was on picket on the right of F, between the Nine

Mile road and the railroad. A rebel brigade which came down the

Nine Mile road got in their rear, and headed them off near the

oyster station, as they retired down the railroad, and captured lieu-

tenant Crowell and fifty-three men. They had skirmished with the

enemy on the picket line most of the afternoon, and this was well

toward sun-down. Captain Harvey and the few men who escaped,

reached the rear in safety. The prisoners were taken to Richmond

that evening, and confined in Libby prison. The enemy was ena-

bled to get in the rear of the company, because the pickets on its

right and left had fallen hack. Sergeant Coar announced to cap-

tain Harvey the situation of things, as he could not see the enemy

on account of the bushes and timber. The captain was sitting on

an old chair at the time the sergeant approached, and he had hardly

arisen from it to accompany him, when a shell exploded by it and

threw it several feet in the air. Near sun-down the regiment, about

a hundred and fifty strong, arrived at the rifle-pits near the field

hospital, and not far from a mile in rear of where the battle began.

Its organization had been maintained, but the officers and men were

nearly dead with fatigue. Here the flags were again delivered to it

by those who had rescued them from the enemy. The battle was

now over, and both armies were preparing to make their respective

positions safe for the night. At the request of a staff officer, I sent


the 104th to the front to occupy a rifle-pit, when I went to the hos-

pital at Savage's station, where I passed a night of pain.

The regiment lost all its camp equipage and baggage, and the

officers most of their personal effects. That night the enemy

occupied my head quarter cabin, which was filled with their own

and our wounded. Among the occupants was general Roger A.

Pryor, who treated our wounded with great kindness. A box of

nice wines and brandy was found in the cabin, some of which he

gave to each wounded soldier; and our well-filled mess-chest sup-

plied them with rations until they were removed from the field the

following Monday. All the concurrent testimony proves that the

enemy was kind to our wounded which fell into their hands. They

carried a number of the men of the lOith to the shade of an old

building that stood near the left of the regiment, and supplied them

with crackers and water. Corporal Solly, of company "I," says he

was carried off the field by order of a rebel colonel, and that the

only harsh word he received was from a surgeon. When the regi-

ment went out to fight, the pet coon was left in camp, which the

owner secured by running a sergeant's sword through a ring in his

chain to the hilt in the ground. It is not known what became of

him, as he was never seen afterward. A pet cat survived the day

and lived to expire in peace in its master's tent at Gloucester

Point. The regiment had drawn a ration of whiskey that morning,

which had not been issued. As a cook of one of the companies

was thought to be over-fond of the article, a drummer boy-was left

in camp to watch it. When the bullets began to whistle about

his ears, the cook thought it would be safer in the rear, and started

in that direction on a double-quick. The drummer boy followed

suit, as the whiskey needed no further watching, a bullet having

pierced the bucket and let it all run out. In the forenoon, Ed-

ward S. Whalen, of company I, and one of the drummer boys were

reported for fighting. As punishment, they were both tied to a

tree, where they were when the regiment was ordered under arms


to go into battle. They were released and sent to their company.

Both went into action, and Whalen was one of the first men killed.

Drummer Hunter, company D, shouldered a riile and went into

the ranks, where he served during the day. Captains Corcoran and

Walters both used rifles, which they loaded and fired repeatedly.

Captain Orem was wounded early in the action, and sat down on

the field until the regiment retired, when he was borne off by his

men. Mean while, he used the rifle of a dead soldier while sitting

on the ground. There was but one officer killed, lieutenant Mc-

Dowell, company K, who was shot as he was coming off' the field.

Major Gries, who died a few days after the battle, was much, re-

gretted. General Naglee, in his letter to adjutant-general Wil-

liams, of the 20th of June, says: "Again should mention be made

of the cool daring and gallant manner in which major John M.

Gries sustained his regiment when charging into the very face of

the enemy. The major died from his wounds, then and there re-

ceived, and will long be remembered by all who knew him." At

the time lieutenant McDowell was killed, he was talking with cap-

tain Pickering. He fell upon his face where he was left lying,

and was afterward stripped by the enemy. The 104th had ten offi-

cers and one hundred and sixty-six enlisted men killed and wounded

and sixty-one captured, which make nearly fifty per cent, of the

whole number engaged. The wounded were generally sent home

to the hospitals for treatment. Fair Oaks was the first of the se-

ries of bloody battles in front of Richmond, for its possession. The

enemy was completely foiled in his attempt to crush the left wing

of our army and pierce our lines.

We left the regiment as it was being conducted to the front by

a staff officer to hold a rifle-pit the night of the battle. When it

reached its destination, fresh troops were found at hand to perform

this duty, and as the 104th was very much fatigued and had suf-

fered severely during the day, it was sent some little .way to the

rear. It bivouacked in the wood through which major Gries and


companies B and D skirmished on the 24th instant. It is a mile

in the rear of the Seven Pi^es, on the left of the Williamsburg

road, and in front of it ran a long rifle-pit. The condition of the

men was forlorn in the extreme, and that of the officers was but lit-

tle better. Scarcely an officer or man had saved a blanket or over-

coat, or an article of clothing, except what they had on. They had

nothing but tin cups to cook their rations in, and many did not

possess one of these. The loss of so many comrades in battle, and

the reaction after the great mental and physical excitement of Sa-

turday, tended greatly to depress their minds, and it required con-

siderable of an effijrt to be cheerful. To these causes maybe added

the wretched state of the weather. During Sunday a few men,

who were supposed to have been killed or wounded, reported for

duty, and the regiment recovered its tone to some extent. On

Monday morning a detail of tivo men from each company was

called for, to go to the battle-field to identify and bury the dead.

The day was hot and sultry. Among the officers who accompa-

nied the party, were captain Pickering, chaplain Gries, and adju-

tant Hart, who gave interesting accounts of what they saw upon

the field. Adjutant Hart, speaking of his visit there, says : "Never

can the recollection of that field be effaced from the memory of

those who witnessed it on that day. The weather being extremely

hot, with frequent showers, the dead had become bloated and swol-

len, until their clothes could scarcely contain them; the blood still

oozing from gaping wounds; the ground saturated with gore. Flies,

in myriads, swarmed around; dead horses, with saddles and har-

ness still on; broken guns; remains of camps, with the food cooked

for Saturday's dinner, untouched; the air polluted with stifling

odors arising from decomposing bodies; wounded men in the ago-

nies of death—all tended to make the heart sick and the soul shud-

der at the sight. I visited the late head quarters of the 104th, on

the Nine Mile road. Here I found the log house filled**with

wounded and dead soldiers. Some were our own men. The


wounded had been refreshed from the stock of provisions left by

the field and staff. Here the rebel general Pryor had assisted in

the amputation of the limb of a member of the 104th. At the

door the bloated carcass of a, dead horse yet lay, while under our

shelter tents were numerous dead rebels. The knapsacks of our

men having been left in their tents, were rifled, and their contents

strewn around."

Chaplain Grries, in a note to the author, on the same subject,

aays:—"On Monday, hearing- that the rebels had retired in the

night, and that our old camp and battle ground at Fair Oaks was

clear, I started to search for the wounded, and to bury the dead.

\Yhen I reached the regiment, adjutant Hart accompanied me with

a fatigue party. We separated at the fork of the Nine Mile and

Williamsburg roads, and divided the party. Close by the house of

Seven Pines I found States, of company F, lying dead. His brother

who was with me, recognized, if he did not see, him first. Weburied him as decently as possible, and then began to look for more.

Close by we found a rebel still groaning, with the maggots swarm-

ing in and out of the wound in his head. In a tent were two dead

rebel oificers, and outside was a captain of a Michigan regiment,

with his name pinned on his breast. In the road were two Union

soldiers, regiment unknown, and a number of miscreant shysters

loafing under the shelter of an old barn, and looking on coolly whilst

wagons were passing over the leg of one of the dead heroes. I

dragged the body out of the way of the wagons, and directed a stu-

pefied captain, who was looking on, to put the men to work burying

them. At the old log-house we found a sad sight, as well as along

the road to it:—dead soldiers, Union and rebel; horses, and broken

wagons. In the camp of the 23d Pennsylvania lay the fresh meat

which had been issued to them the morning of the battle. In the

old house were dead and wounded packed close together, some of

the living hardly showing signs of life. We ministered to them

and got them off to the rear. We then struck through the wood

PENNSYLVANIA REGIMENT. Ill

toward tlie line the regiment occupied in the battle, searching for

the wounded, but found none except of other regiments. When we

got to the Fair Oaks building, we rested by the wood pile, and in a

few minutes a party of our own men who had gone that road with

captain Pickering, came up to us, carrying some of our wounded.

I procured an ambulance for their relief, when we started for the

regiment. The road was lined with dead horses, and in the fields

were dead rebels lying in rows like the win-row work of a reaper.

The air was loaded with stench, and the sun was almost overpowering.

What with this, and the sights we had seen, and the work we had

done, we just managed to drag ourselves back to the rifle-pits."

Captain Pickering says:—--'The 2d of June the enemy left us in

possession of the battle field. I felt very anxious to learn the fate

of lieutenant McDowell and the other missing ones of company K,

and I obtained permission to go with the detail to bury the dead.

I was accompanied by lieutenant Artman. Arriving upon the

ground, we found but few of the detail of our regiment, the most

of them having gone back, or were looking after trophies. Quite a

number of ambulances were removing the wounded to the station.

We found several of the wounded of the regiment, and after seeing

them safely put into the ambulances, we commenced a search for

the dead. We found the greater number on our first line, and from

there to the fence against which we made the charge, and from

there to the log-house on our left. Lieutenant McDowell lay about

fifty yards from the house. It was impossible to recognize many of

the dead, the hot sun and rain had so disfigured their countenances.

Many of their faces had swollen up and burst. I happened to find

one man of my company near there, and he and I commenced to

dig a trench for the company's dead. I sent word to captain Rogers

for a new detail, which arrived about noon under lieutenant Kep-

hart, by which time I was ready to bury those belonging to the

. company. We then buried all the dead of the 104th wo could find.

The names of those we recognized, were cut on a board and put at


the head of the grave. While thus engaged, we were within a few

yards of the picket lines, and there was constant skirmishing with

the enetQj."

The regiment lay in this wood until Wednesday, the 4th of

June, recuperating and re-organizing its shattered ranks. On Mon-

day evening a severe storm oam« on. So much did the peals of

thunder resemhle the firing of artillery, that the troops were got

under arms and formed in line of battle, on. the supposition that the

enemy had renewed the attack. After standing in the drenching

rain some time, they were dismissed to the friendly shelter of the

bushes and trees. The remains of the brigade were collected at this

point. It was inspected on Tuesday, when it was found, that of the

men who went into action the Saturday before, more than one-third

was still missing. Occasionally stragglers came in, and a few of the

slightly wounded returned from hospital. The same day the 104th

was inspected by colonel Niell, of the 23d Pennsylvania. That

night it again rained violently, and the thunder and lightning were

terrific. The regiment was turned ou« in the storm at 3 o'clock

A.M., and remained under arms until daylight. Only those who

have tried the life of a soldier, can know how trying to men is this

kind of exposure, particularly when they are possessed of none of

the comforts and conveniences of a campaign.

PENNSTLVANIA EEGIMEXT. 113

CHAPTER IX.

DiTision marches to tlie Chickaliominy.—Camp of regiment.—Crosses the river.—Battle

ofGaines' Mill.—^Naglee and Heintzelman.-'Regiment re-crosses the river—Heavy rain.

Preparation to march to James River.—General movements.—Xaglee holds Bottom's

Bridge.—Train of ammunition exploded.—Troops withdrawn.—March to TThite Oakswamp.-The enemy pm'sues.—Battle.—The army continues the march to the James.

—The Kebel Army,

OX the 4th of June, the whole division was ordered down to the

ChicEahominy, in the neighborhood of Bottom's bridge.

It marched in the afternoon. It had rained hard sinc3 mornine,

and seemed to increase toward evening. The roads were fearfully

bad, and it was almost impossible for the men to make their way

through the deep mud. The streams were swollen into foaming

torrents. Half way down the road is crossed by a modest rivulet

which, in ordinary times, will not much more than wet the soles

of one's shoes. Now, it was waist deep, and ran with the swift-

ness of a mountain stream. Officers and men waded through.

The current took some off their feet, and carried them several

yards before they regained them. Here was a squadron of the 8th

Pennsylvania cavalry under captain Craven. The horsemen formed

a line across the stream on the lower side, to prevent the infantry

being washed down. The drummer-boys, too small to wade, were

carried across on the horses. The regiment reached its destination

8


before dark and bivouacked in a piece of timber on Wade's farm

overlooking the railroad bridge. The brigade was stretched from

here down to Bottom's bridge. The men lay down to sleep without

a particle of shelter from the storm that was descending, except

such as the bushes and trees aflforded. There was neither murmur

nor complaint. They exhibited a spirit of fortitude alike creditable

to the service and the regiment.

Captain Rogers was in command in the absence of field-officers.

The next morning he moved the regiment to a dry ridge near by,

in the open fields, and took possession of some farm-buildings to

shelter the men. In a day or two it cleared off, warm and pleasant,

and things took a more cheerful turn. New camp-equipage was

drawn, and the men received a new outfit of clothing. A pleasant

camp was laid out, and order and regularity began to assume their

wonted sway. Two companies occupied a small redoubt in the

vicinity, and every night a few men were placed in the rifle-pits

near by. There was no rest for the men, as every one fit for duty

was on fatigue daily, rebuilding Bottom's bridge, digging rifle-pits,

or throwing up other works to command the crossing of the river.

The paymaster made his welcome visit about the 12th, and paid

the regiment for two months; the first pay they had received since

landing on the Peninsula. The chaplain carried the money home

to the families of the men. While here, general Keyes visited the

regiment and made a speech to the men. He complimented them

on their gallantry at Fair Oaks, and promised to stand by them,

and see that full justice was done them. While at AVade's farm,

the first complete morning report was made up since the battle.

On the 9th of June, the return showed 19 officers and 451 enlisted

men present, giving a loss of 12 of the former, and 214 of the

latter, in two weeks. This aggregate includes a number of the

slightly wounded who had returned to duty. Several absent offi-

cers^ among whom was lieutenant-colonel Nields, rejoined the

regiment, and others went home on sick leave.


Immediately upon the raid on Tunstall's station, the l)4th was

ordered across the Chickahominy to guard the railroad. It ciOBsed

over on the 17th, and encamped in a field of timber near Dispatch

station, three hundred yards to the rear. One company was kept

constantly on duty guarding the approaches to the station and the

railroad in that vicinity. Subsequently, another company was

detailed to guard it as low down as Tunstall's. The regiment had

a pleasant location, and there was a visible improvement in the

health of the men. One cavalryman was on duty at regimental

head quarters, to carry dispatches across the river to general Naglee.

Lieutenant Yardley was taken violently ill, the last of the month,

of fever, and was carried home by some friends who were on a

visit to the regiment. He never rejoined again; when sufficiently

recovered he was placed on the recruiting service, but was subse-

quently appointed provost marshal of the 5th district, in which

capacity he served during the remainder of the war.

'

The battle of Gaines' Mill was fought the 27th of June, and was

disastrous to our arms. On the afternoon of that day captain Pick-

ering was sent out with his company on picket, on the road that

leads toward the battle field, and about a mile from camp. He

could hear the rattle of musketry very plainly. About dark the

road was filled with stragglers coming from the battle field, who be-

longed to all the regiments engaged, regulars and volunteers. They

came with the usual story of cowards and shysters, that their regi-

ments had been cut to pieces. From the fact that there were no officers

with them, and very few wounded, it was evident the greater part

of them had run away. A few ofthem had arms. Some rode artil-

lery and cavalry horses and among them were seen a few horses wea-

ring the trappings of mounted officers. With the assistance of a picket

of the 8th Pennsylvania Savalry the captain succeeded in halting the

greater part of the fugitives. They appeared much alarmed, and

were very anxious to continue to the rear. The next morning they

were conducted to Dispatch station. Captain W. W. Marple, who

116 ONE HUNDEED AND FOTJETH

was in command at tlie station, sent word to general Naglee that a

legion of stragglers liad arrived from G-aines' mill, and enquired

what should be done with them. He replied, " Send them to

lieintzclman, and tell Mm they are not Naglee's men this time."

Lieutenant Carver conducted about 1500 to Savage's station and

turned them over to the commanding officer. This message to

Heintzelman was in retaliation for the report he made to general

McClellan that Casey's division behaved badly at Fair Oaks.

It was evident that we could not hold the left bank of the river

long after our repulse at Gaines' mill, and arrangements were made

for an early withdrawal from the posts held on that side. There

was a large quantity of commissary stores at Dispatch station,

which lieutenant colonel Nields loaded on the cars the afternoon

and evening of the 27th, and sent up the road to Savage's station,

where stores had been collected for the whole army. The regiment

left the next morning and crossed at Bottom's bridge, which' was

destroyed as soon as it was over. It should have crossed the even-

ing before, but the order was delayed. As it was, a few stores, with

a small guard, were left in camp until the wagons could return.

But before they got back the enemy's cavalry skirmishers made

their appearance and drove the guard out of camp. Some of them

made a narrow escape, and Matthew Gibney, of company E, was

wounded in the hand, slightly. Joseph Pearson, of company K,

came very near being captured. He ran into an oats field near by

but the rebel cavalrymen discovered his hiding place by the motion

he gave the grain, and pursued him. He was fortunate enough to

reach the swamp first, where he concealed himself They kept up

the search some time, riding very near him, but finally relinquished

it and rode ofi". A few stores fell into their hands, and also the

books and records of company K. All IKSmen reached the re^i-

ment during the night, in safety. This was the last communication

between the two banks of the river while we held the line of the

Chickahominy, and the 104th was the last regiment to re-crcss to

PENNSYLVANIA REGIJIENT. 117

the right bank preparatory to the great flank movement to the

James.

For a period of nearly two weeks subsequent to the battle of Fair

Oaks, the constant rains almost put an end to military operations.

The Chickahominy was so risen as to iiood the bottom three and

four feet in depth ; the face of the country was reduced to a bog,

and impassable for artillery, except on the main roads. Meanwhile,

however, the work on the bridges was pushed forward as rapidly as

possible, and by the 25th was so far completed as to afford safe and

easy communication between the two wings of the army. On the

18th of June two squadrons of regular cavalry, stationed at Ha-

nover old church, were overpowered by 1500 of the enemy's cavalry,

under general Stuart, which afterward passed round the right and

rear of our army and re-crossed the Chickahominy at Long's bridge.

On the 25th our pickets were advanced preparatory to a general

advance of our whole army ; but about the same time the enemy

commenced a series of movements against our right wing, which

changed, entirely, the direction and nature of our operations. Our

advance cavalry pickets on the left bank of the river were driven in

toward noon on the 26th. The same afternoon the battle of Me-

chanicsville was fought by general Fitz John Porter. The enemy

was repulsed, but our forces retired under cover of the night. Mc-

Clellan now losing all hope of assistance from McDowell, whose

army had been diverted from its legitimate line of march, and sen-

sible of his inability to defeat the enemy's combination against him,

single handed, resolved to change his base to the James river by a

flank march across the Peninsula. From the moment this resolu-

tion was taken every energy was bent toward making the movement

a success. The cars were loaded with provisions and ammunition at

White House and run to Savage's station to the last moment; and all

the wagons were loaded and sent up. The troops that fought at

G-aines' mill on the 27th crossed the river that night and destroyed

the bridges after them. During the night before, and that morning,


all the wagons were concentrated on the right bank of the river. On

the eveninn- of the 27th general McClellan called a meeting of the

corps commanders at his own head quarters, when he explained to

them the movement he was about to make and the reason of it. On

the day and night pf the 28th the supply and baggage trains were

withdrawn from Savage's station and sent oif toward the James.

Keyes' corps, with the exception of Naglee's brigade which was held

as rear guard, crossed the White Oak swamp bridge and took a posi-

tion near it, by noon of the same day. The same day and night he

was followed by Porter's corps, which was ordered to cover the roads

loading from Richmond toward the Swamp and Long bridges. Mc-

Call's Pennsylvania Reserves crossed the same night. General

head quarters camp at Savage's station was broken up early on the

morning of the 29th and moved across the Swamp bridge. Gene-

ral McClellan spent the day examining the country, directing the

posting of troops, and making arrangements for the secure passage

of the trains to James river.

By noon of the 28th, Naglee had the whole of his brigade con-

centrated on the right bank of the Chiokahominy from Bottom's

bridge up to the railroad crossing. At midnight of the day before

general McClellan had telegraphed general Keyes to direct general

Peek " to guard the railroad and Bottom's bridges.'' He directed

Naglee to " attend to the prompt and exact execution of the above

order," instead of sending it to Peck. Naglee was now, as it maybe termed, standing at bay between the victorious enemy and the

retiring federals. Ho did not forget his fallen braves of the 31st of

May. On Sunday, the 29th, he assembled his brigade on the banks

of the now historic Chiokahominy, at 11 a. m., as the order ex-

pressed it, -'for the purpose of uniting in the last sacred duty due

by us to the memory of our brave comrades who sacrificed their

lives at the battle of the Seven Pines." It was his business to de-

fend the crossing, which he was to hold at every hazard. All the

planks had been removed from the railroad bridge and dry fa<^ots


placed conveniently for firing it. Sucli temporary defensive works as

were tliought necessary were hastily constructed. An epaulment to

protect the pieces, with a line of rifle-pits extending six hundred yards

to the left, had been thrown up in the rear of Bottom's bridge. The

following was the position of the brigade at that time. Eight compa-

nies of the 104th were stationed near the old tavern, in reserve, as a

support to Morgan's battery, and two companies, C and I, in a rifle-pit

covering the bridge j the 11th Maine was at the railroad bridge; the

sharpshooters of the 52d Pennsylvania and the 11th lined the bank

of the river between the two bridges; whil6 the 56th and 100th

New York occupied the redoubts and rifle-pits. Naglee had with

him Miller's, Brady's, and Morgan's batteries and a squadron of

cavalry. General Casey had been down to White House to control

matters there, and general Peck was placed in command of the

division.

Immediately upon the battle of Gaines' Mill, the enemy in large

force moved down toward the railroad, and on the 28th appeared in

front of Bottom's bridge. They planted a battery within a thou-

sand yards of the bridge and opened upon us, the infantry manosu-

vring at the same time as if about to attempt a crossing. A well

directed and concentrated fire from our three batteries silenced his

guns and compelled the infantry to withdraw into the timber. He

had felt our pickets along the river bank before this and learned to

respect the sharpshooters that stood waist deep in water. On the

29th, large bodies of the enemy were seen hovering about on the

high ground in front of the bridge, but our preparations to receive

him and the accuracy of our fire prevented him making a serious

attempt to cross. The battle at Savage's station was fought on the

29th and lasted until dark. The enemy had repaired the upper

bridges soon after our troops had crossed over and destroyed them,

and now gave us battle on the right bank. The battle at Allen's farm

was fought the same day but commenced and ended at an earlier

hour. In both actions the enemy was repulsed, but our army was


not then in a condition to take advantage of a success. As soon as

darkness covered their movements the troops that fought these bat-

tles took up the liae of march for the James; Sumner and Heint-

zelmau crossing the swamp at Brackett's ford, and Franklin at the

White Oak bridge.

Meanwhile Naglee stood on the defensive and interposed between

a victorious enemy and the retiring trains and troops. The road

that leads to the swamp crossing was not much over a mile from the

river bank. The railroad bridge had already been destroyed by the

men of the 11th Blaine. At Savage's station a train of cars was

being loaded with ammunition, to be run down the river at the last

moment. This was done at 7 o'clock, p. m., on the afternoon of the

29th. Slow matches were applied so that the train would be ex-

ploded as it fell into the river. The signal to run the ill-fated

ears down the road was given just before sundown. It was started

with a full head of steam, and no hand to guide it down a de-

scending grade. The foremost cars were all aflame. Kushing

along with accelerated speed, the whole train plunged through the

break in the bridge into the river below, with an explosion that

shook the earth and filled the air with pieces of the wreck. The

rear cars were filled with tons of powder, in barrels, and an im-

mense quantity of fixed ammunition and loaded shells for the siege

guns. For hours, the explosion of shells from this tremendous

battery was incessant. The explosion of the train threw up a

magnificent column of white smoke hundreds of feet into the

air. The sound drowned the noise of artillery and musketry, which

sinks into insignificance in comparison. At dark the general si-

lently withdrew his regiments to the high ground overlooking the

river, leaving but a fringe of pickets along the stream. The 104th

had already retired into a wood two hundred yards to the rear with

instructions to wait until the other regiments should close up. It

was some time after dark, but not until the last wagon, and the last

regiment had passed, that the pickets were called in, and the brigade


put in march for the James river. It was now the rear-guard of

the Army of the Potomac.

The road was crowded with wagons, and the march necessarily

slow. The brigade crossed the White Oak swamp some time after

midnight and bivouacked on the rising ground, a few hundred

yards in front of, and commanding, the crossing. On the right,

skirmishing could be distinctly heard between the rear guard of

our retiring columns on the road from Richmond to Charles city

and the advanced guard of the enemy. It was continued to a late

hour. Keyes, who was the first to cross tlie swamp, was relieved

on the 28th, and with his baggage and artillery marched for Turkey

bend, where he arrived on the morning of the 30th. General

Franklin had relieved him, and was ordered to hold White Oak

swamp crossing with his own corps and Richardson's and Naglee's

brigades. As soon as the trains and artillery were over, details of

men were sent out to destroy the bridge. When morning dawned,

a large force was found to be in the immediate vicinity, and an im-

mense number of wagon and several pontoon trains encumbered the

fields and roads. The pickets were skirmishing in the swamp across

the creek that runs through it. A great effort was made to get the

wagons out of the way, and as rapidly as possible, train after train

was pushed into the road and started ofi' for James river. At

10 o'clock, a. m., the brigade was got under arms, and attached

to Smith's division. It was placed in position by general Naglee,

about half a mile from the crossing, and was the last of several

lines. It was formed on two sides of the open field, along the edge

of the wood, the right resting on the James river road, and facing

the enemy, or where he was supposed to be, the left parallel to and

fronting the road. A portion of the 52d was deployed into the

swamp. Included between the angle formed by the two lines, were

acres of wagons, pontoons, &c. Everything being in readiness for

action, the men were allowed to stack arms and withdraw to the

122 ONE HUNDRED AND POTIETH

shade of tlie neighboring timber. Here tbey kindled fires and

cooked dinner. The scene resembled a great pic-nic.

The enemy pushed after us immediately from the Chickahominy,

and were close in ovir rear. Our engineers had hardly destroyed

the swamp bridge and retired, before his skirmishers came up to

reconnoitre. For several hours the swamp only divided the op-

posing forces. The action began about noon. Without a note of

warning, the enemy suddenly run his artillery forward from behind

the opposite hills and opened several batteries on our army while

the men were lounging on the grass eating their dinner. The

shook was so sudden that everybody seemed stunned for a moment.

One division broke for the woQd—the officers leaving their horses

tied to the trees in the open field—but was rallied again. The

teamsters, especially those of the pontoon trains, cut the traces, and

away went the mules, by fours and sixes. When the trains got

started, the teamsters were threatened with instant death if they

drove faster than a walk, and guards were placed at short intervals

along the road to prevent a stampede. A New York regiment

broke and was leaving the field, when it was charged with the

bayonet by another regiment and stopped. For a few moments

there was a scene of great confusion. Our guns had been placed

in battery early in the day. The gunners stood ready, and soon

they thundered at the enemy in reply. The distance was hardly a

mile, and they had our exact range. Their shells burst constantly

over and among our troops. The air seemed filled with their pro-

jectiles. The oiEcial report of the action states that the guns on

both sides did not number less than a hundred. It was one of the

most furious cannonades of the war, and continued through the

day. The infantry was obliged to endure this severe shelling that

hot afternoon without an opportunity to reply, an ordeal more trj'-

ing than any other to a soldier. Naglee's brigade, occupying the

last line, had few casualties. The 104th had none killed or

wounded, but many narrow escapes. Dead and wounded were car-


ried to the rear every few moments—the former were buried near

by, while the hitter were taken to a neighboring house which had

been converted into a hospital. Some of the batteries had to fill

their ammunition chest three times, so rapid was the firing. The

men serving the batteries were almost worn out, and one faithful

gunner stood to his pieoQ until he was entirely deaf. The enemy

made repeated efforts to cross the swamp while this cannonading

was going on, but in each case was prevented. The suddenness of

the attack created considerable confusion among the trains, and

there was danger of a general stampede. An Irish camp woman,

belonging to a New York regiment, made herself quite conspicuous

during the action. She remained cloge to the side of her husband,

and refused to retire to a place of security. She was full of pluck.

Occasionally she would notice some fellow sneaking to the rear,

when she would run after him, seize him by the nape of his neck

and place him in the ranks again, calling him a "dirty, cowardly

spalpleen," and other choice epithets. The flying shells had no

terrors for her. During the hottest of the cannonade, this cou-

rageous woman walked fearlessly about among the troops, encou-

raging them to stand up to their work. Her only weapon,

offensive or defensive, was a large umbrella she carried under her

arm. In one instance she shamed a commissioned oiBcer into re-

turning to his duty. She belonged to the Irish brigade, and her

stout person, fall, red face and broad language betrayed her un-

doubted origin. About the middle of the afternoon, heavy firing

was heard on the left where the troops of Sumner and MoGall were

fighting the enemy at Glendale. He had succeeded in crossing the

swamp higher up, and was making an effort to fall upon our rear.

This firing, so close on our left, caused considerable alarm, for

should the enemy succeed iu his attack, it would enable him to cut

off our retreat. A brigade was sent off to re-enforce our troops.

Naglee became so much interested in the progress of events in that

quarter towards evening, that he rode in that direction to endeavor

12i ONE HUNDRED AND FOURTH

to obtain information. In a short time lie returned at a gallop,

stouting, as he came up, ^' All's right; we've repulsed them."

The cannonade ceased soon after dark with the exception of two

of our guns which continued to fire, at intervals of ten or fifteen

minutes, until after midnight. A pontoon train and several caissons

that could not be hauled away were burne^d to prevent them falling

into the hands of the enemy. Franklin gradually and silently

withdrew his troops in the early part of the evening, leaving only

Naglee's brigade and the two field pieces to watch the crossing of

the swamp. Again his little command became the rear-guard and

interposed between our retiring columns and the pursuing enemy.

He was ordered to follow at K^ o'clock. At that hour he took up

the line of march, with his whole brigade, as he supposed, but he

took with him only part of it, viz: the 11th, 52d and a portion of

the 100th regiments, leaving the 56th, remainder of the 100th and

the 104th on the field. He gave the command at the head of the

column, in a low tone of voice, and the order was not repeated

throughout the line. Some who saw him move off were net aware

that it was a general movement, but supposed him to be taking part

of the brigade into the swamp to put it on picket. His assistant-

adjutaut-general, who did not notice the movement, was left behind.

The general did not discover that part of his brigade was missin'^

until he had marched several miles and it was then too late to

remedy the mistake, for the road was blocked up with troops and

teams, and to return was impossible. Colonel Van Wyck was nowthe senior officer present and should have assumed command but

declined to do so. Captain Johnston, the assistant adjutant-"-eneral

was then appealed to to conduct the remainder of the bri<^ade off

the field and follow the march of the army, but he declined to movewithout an order from the general, who was not present to give it.

Thus, through sheer incompetency, two regiments and a half and

two guns came near falling into the hands of the enemy.

Immediately the fight commenced at White Oak swamp bridge


surgeon Kittinger of the lOOtli New York cstablisliecl a hospital in

a dwelling on the New Market road abovit half way to Brackett's

ford. Two hundred wounded were received there for treatment, a

part of which was brought down from Glcndale. The wounds

were generally very severe. During the afternoon and evening four

hundred able-bodied men collected around his hospital and spent

the night there. With great difficulty the doctor prevailed upon

one hundred and fifty of them to leave at sunrise the next morning

for James river; but the remainder positively refused to march any

further, and remained and gave themselves up to the enemy.

—

Among them were two commissioned officers. It was a shameful ex-

hibition of cowardice and demoralization on the part of troops.

The rebel skirmishers made their appearance at 7 o'clock in the

morning and two hours afterward the main body, under Stonewall

Jackson, camo along. They marched by the flank, closed up, and

were five hours passing the hospital. Such was the discipline main-

tained that the men were not even allowed to leave ranks to get a

drink of water at the well. The doctor remained with the wounded

and was made prisoner. The enemy offered no assistance to the

wounded until the 4th of July, nor did he send food to the hos-

pital until the 5th, when some bacon, a little flour, and hard bread

were received. On the 11th they were removed to Eichmond.

When Stonewall Jackson arrived at the hospital he expressed as-

tonishment to see so few stragglers and asked the doctor what had

become of them. He did not know that they reached the James

in advance of the army. With a victorious enemy thundering at

our heels the rear was no place for them. Jackson was in plain

clothes, with a sword and sash as the only signs of rank about him.

He led his men on foot.


CHAPTEll X.

Sitimtion at White Oiik BTvamp.—Lliuitenalit McCoy.—Tho roar guaril marcheg.—Lose thoir

way.—The "Mule charge."—Malvorn Hill.—Tlie battle.—Fatigue of the arra^—101th

gooB to lljixall's.—March to Harrison'.^ Landing.—The rear guard.—Tlio roada.—Tho

enemy still pursues.—Wagou.s abandoned.—Harrison's Lauding.—Intrenched camp

there.—llejoin tho regiment.—Night attack by tho enemy.—The army to bo with-

drawn from the Peninsula.—McCIellau's campaign.

THOSE who were witli the rear guard that night at the White

Oak swamp crosising will long remember it. The situation

was extremely critical for that portion of Nagleo's brigade left be-

hind. There was not a sentinel between the two armies to announce

the approach of the enemy. Our two guns threw an occasional

shell to give notice that we still occupied the ground. He was al-

ready busily at work rebuilding the bridge to cross over. The dis-

tant sound of the drum of his infantry, and tho rattle of his gun

carriages could be heard as the enemy came up on the opposite side

of the swamp. He appeared to be massing his forces for a desperate

assault at daylight, under the supposition that our army would

again dispute his advance at that point. Captain Johnston still

maintained the fiction that general Nagleo was in the swamp, and

believing such to bo the case would not consent that the troops

should be removed. At last he was convinced of the danger of de-

lay, and agreed to send a man into the swamp to hunt for him.

Sergeant Laughlin was sent, but returned in a little wljile and re-


ported that ho could not be found. Lieutenant McCoy then vo-

lunteered to make a search. He rode into the swamp some distance,

and down to the creek, calling in a loud tone of voice for the pickets

and the general. There was no answer returned. Every thing

was silent through the swamp but the axemen of the enemy felling

trees to repair the crossing. When at the creek ho could not have

been more than two or three hundred yards from the enemy's pick-

ets. No doubt this bold act of Mr. McCoy deceived him as to our

position and strength. Although the result of this reconnoissanoe

was positive evidence that neither the general nor the missing regi-

ments were in the swamp, no one was disposed to order the troops

to move oflF. It is hard to tell how long they might have remained

in this critical position had not a staff officer of general Franklin at

this time come upon the ground. He expressed great surprise at

finding troops still there, and said that the general supposed they

had left four hours before, and that other troops had been with-

drawn on that supposition.

It was now 2 o'clock on the morning of the 1st of July. Colo-

nel Van Wyck finally assumed command and the march was com-

menced. He did not know what road to take. Those whose busi-

ness it was to know the route taken by the retreating army, had

remained on the ground all day without informing themselves. The

head of the column was directed toward the right, contrary to the

conviction of the most intelligent officers present, and the troops

took the direct route for the enemy. After marching some distance

they passed the pickets of another portion of our army, and were

again outside the federal lines. The road was filled with stragglers

coming from the field of Glendulo or Nelson's farm. They were

much demoralized, and ma,ny had thrown away their arms. Lieu-

tenant McCoy was ordered to collect them together, bu>t he could do

nothing with them. Continuing the march, in a little while colo-

nel Van Wyck came to where the road again forked. Here another

body of stragglers was met, who came down the right hand road.


A halt was ordered. In a few minutes colonel Ward approached

with the rear guard from Glendale, and of course was much aston-

ished to see troops marching toward the enemy, who he' said was in

pursuit of him. The column was bow countermarched and followed

colonel Ward down the Charles City road.

During this march there occurred what is known to the mem-

bers of the brigade as the " mule charge," which, for a short

time, caused an unaccountable panic among the troops. While

standing in the road, half asleep, they were startled by a noise like

that which accompanies charging cavalry and artillery. At the

same time there was seen a flash, and then an explosion was heard

when some one raised the cry tliat the enemy's cavalry was coming.

In a moment the road was cleared of troops, who rushed into tha

adjoining wood for safety. Those who were present describe the

scene as a fearfully exciting one while it continued. For an instant

of time the whole command seemed paralyzed and bereft of reason.

In the rush from imaginary danger officers and men tumbled over

each other. Some lost their caps and articles of clothing ; while

others, when the fright had subsided, found, themselves in posses-

sion of articles that belonged to their neighbors, without being able

to tell how they came by them. Many threw away their guns with-

out knowing it. The panic was complete while it lasted. The in-

nocent cause of it was soon discovered. A couple of mules which

had escaped from the teamsters, with the harness on, came running

down the road with the chains and straps rattling and flapping about

them. About the same time a soldier discharged hi& musket. The

troops were simply the victims of a delusion, which their physical

and mental condition in some measure invited, for they were greatly

prostrated in body and mind. When they heard the voices they

were accustomed to hear, calling upon them to " fall in," they obey-

ed with alacrity, and immediately the ranks were re-formed. The

panic subsided almost as soon as it arose.

The reader must not take this as eyidence of the want of disci-


pline and steadiness in these troops, for thsy were among tlie best

regiments in the army of the Potomac. There are occasions when

the best troops in the world are liable to panic and stampede. Anotable and singular instance of this is recorded in Napier's " His-

tory of the Peninsula War." The night before the battle of Busaco,

a brigade of English soldiers suddenly sprang from their sleep,

around the bivouac fires, and without any perceivable cause, ran

panic-stricken and bewildered in every direction. Yet even in their

fright they retained the instinct of veterans, for when the cry arose

that the enemy's cavalry were on them, they immediately began to

form in knots and groups to defend themselves ; when their delu-

sion vanished. The cause of this panic was never discovered

;

while that of Naglee's brigade was palpable.

The regiments being reformed filed to the left and resumed the

march to the rear at as rapid a gait as the men could make. Part

of the time, they moved in a slow trot—as near a " double-quick"

as their fatigued bodies would permit.—The column was over-

taken by a mounted officer, who advised them to " hurry up," as

the enemy was not far oiF, and was expected to make an attack

when daylight appeared.—Scarcely a word was spoken, except now

and then a whispered command to the men, to "-close up."—The

road was still filled with stragglers, through which our men had

to force their way—and it was often with much difficulty our

wearied fellows could be prevented mingling with the throng of

fugitives going the same way. Several of the officers and men

were really too sick to march, and all their physical strength was

taxed $0 keep up with the command. But the law of necessity

compelled them to it, for to fall behind was to ensure almost cer-

tain capture. Consequently there was no straggling among Naglee's

men. The command reached the field of Malvern early in the

forenoon, where they stacked arms and lay down to rest, as they

had marched fifteen miles since leaving White Oak swamp. The

enemy was not far behind, for within an hour the fire of his ad-

9


vance could be heard as he drove in our pickets. The great bulk

of the army of the Potomac was concentrating here to make

another stand, and the field presented a grand sight that clear morn-

ing, as the thousands of infantry were moved to and fro to take

up their ground, and the batteries galloped to their assigned posi-

tions.

As the army approached James river, Malvern hill was seen to

be the key to our position in that region, and it was determined

to make another stand here against the enemy. A reconnoissance

of the surrounding country had been made before the troops

arrived, and general McClellan had given instructions as to their

posting. The rear of the supply-trains and the reserve-artil-

lery reached there late in the afternoon of the 30th of June.

The troops took up their position as they arrived. The left and

centre rested on the Malvern, while the right curved backward

toward James river. Keyes' corps, in which was the 104th, be-

longed to this wing of the army, and acted as a reserve. The

regiment lay in a wood, in such position that the shells from the

gun-boat Galena passed directly over its head into the ranks of

the enemy. The battle began between 9 and 10 o'clock, and con-

tinued, with intervals of cessation, until after nightfall, but the

heaviest fighting took place late in the afternoon. The enemy

made the most persistent efforts to carry om position ; charging

up to the very muzzles of the guns, and often not receiving a check

until the infantry poured volley after volley into him. Form-

ing under cover of the wood, he charged upon our batteries at a

run across the open space and up the slopes, determined to carry

them. In each instance his columns of attack were hurled back.

The firing did not cease until about 9 o'clock at night, but the

fate of the day had been decided an hour before. The result of

the battle was a victory to us ; but it seemed necessary to fall back

further, in order to establish a depot where the supplies could be

brought' up with safety. A few thousand fresh troops could have


enabled us to open the way to Richmond. The constant fighting,

and marching, and exposure for the last seven days, tad com-

pletely fagged out the army, and greatly demoralized it. Thou-

sands of men could not be held to their organizations, but strag-

gled to the river in crowds, and more than one officer deserted his

command, and marched in advance of their men to the river.

Marching by night, and fighting by day for a week, will use up

the best army in the world, and none ever excelled the army of

the Potomac in its historic period in 1862. In the evening, the

104th and 100th N. Y. were marched down to Haxall's, a mile

further, where they rejoined the remainder of the brigade under

general Naglee, who was much rejoiced to see his lost troops.

That night they bivouacked by the side of a creek in the imme-

diate vicinity of some houses. A load of rations was procured,

and, for the first time in three days, the men had a comfortable

meal. At evening, companies A, D, and H, under lieutenants

Fretz, Lehnen, Artman and Markley were detailed to report to th«

officer of the day for picket duty; and soon afterward the rest

of the regiment under captain Rogers was likewise sent out. Hereturned to Haxall's at daylight with the seven companies, but the

other three were withdrawn too late to march with the regiment,

and fell in with the 87th New York. They did not report again

to the 104th until after their arrival at Harrison's landing.

When general McClellan determined to withdraw from Malvern

hill, and continue his march to Harrison's landing, lie selected

Keyes' corps to cover the movement, and the brigades of Wessel

and Naglee were detailed for the rear-guard. After marching aljout

three miles below Haxall's, these brigades were formed in line of

battle, supported by artillery, where they remained while the dis-

ordered army poured down in a living stream toward the river. The

moment the retreat was resumed, organization, in a great measure,

appeared to be at an end, and the troops swept over the country

without regard to roads or order. They made short cuts across


fields and through wood to the place of destination, and the inces-

sant discharge of muskets and rifles resembled a fusilade with the

enemy. There was a mingling of companies, regiments, brigades

and divisions. It began to rain in the morning, and continued for

several hours to pour down in torrents, at which time the roar-guard

stood in line, or manoeuvred to protect the retreat. The movement

of so many thousand men and wagons over the roads and neighbor-

ing fields, after the rain had fallen, converted them into an almost

impassable quagmire, and to march was literally to wade through

the mud. The troops and wagons having all passed by the middle

of the afternoon, the rear-guard followed, destroying the bridges

behind them. After marching a few miles they were halted for

the night, officers and men being fagged out with fatigue, wet to

the skin, and covered with mud. The bivouac of the 104th was

near a wheal>field, and the men set to work gathering the sheaves

for bedding. The rain held up in the afternoon, but it commenced

again near sun-down. The men had hardly lain down when a de-

tail came for part of them to go on picket, an order which appeared

harsh in the extreme after all the fatigue they had undergone the

last three days. About this time some fresh troops, which had

landed that morning at Harrison's bar, came to the front and were

sent out on picket instead of the tired men of the 104tli. Never-

theless, the latter were not permitted to pass the night on their

sheaves of wheat, with whatever degree of comfort they could com-

mand. Their location was changed two or three times before mid-

night, and at last they found themselves amidst bushes and coarse

grass, the ground cut up in holes filled with water. Here they sank

to rest more dead than alive.

The enemy pursued, as rapidly as the nature of the roads would

permit. In the night he placed a battery in position, and shelled

our bivouacks. Several shells fell among the 104th, but fortu-

nately no one was hurt. The regiment was aroused and got under

arms, but no further, attack was made. The battery and its sup-


ports were afterward captured by the rear-guard. In the morning

the 104th was sent to re-enforce general Wessel, to whose brigade

it was temporarily attached. The last of the troops, except the

rear-guard and the trains, arrived at Harrison's landing after dark

on the evening of the 3d of July. The condition of the roads the

last two days, was such that the trains were got through with much

difficulty. Many wagons were abandoned and destroyed, and a

number were unloaded to enable the mules to draw them empty.

The last day's march lieutenant McCoy was directed by an engineer

officer to station himself on the main road, and cause all wagons to

be unloaded that could not get through without it. Every kind of

baggage was thrown into the mud. Officers' trunks were broken

open and rifled of their contents by soldiers who were too much fa-

tigued to carry their knapsacks, but who could bear a few pounds

of plunder. Cases of expensive surgical instruments were cast away,

to be picked up by the first party that claimed them. At one point

where the mud was too deep for the men. to cross the road, a cross-

ing was made of mattresses taken from a hospital wagon. In this

manner thousands of dollars' worth of valuable and useful baggage

was destroyed. The 104th, in these memorable movements, performed

a highly meritorious service. It formed part of the rear-guard from

the Chickahominy to the James, a duty as arduous and dangerous

as honorable, and is so held by all military authorities. Dufour

says:—"In retreat the rear-guard becomes the most important body,

and should be composed of the best troops, or those which have suf-

fered least. No other service can give more fame to a body of

troops, where it exposes itself to danger, privation and toil, less for

itself than for the remainder of the army."

The 104th was probably as well kept together as any other regi-

ment in the army, and yet did not reach Harrison's landing with more

than half the men in ranks. It was fortunate in meeting with so few

losses. The morning it fell back across the Chickahominy, William

Hart, of company F, was taken to the hospital at Savage's station,


and as he was never heard of afterwards he probably died in the

hands of the enemy. Orderly sergeant Cadwallader, of company

K, was taken there sick about the same time, and would have fallen

into the hands of the enemy, but for the kindness of lieutenant

Yardley, quartermaster of the 3d Pennsylvania Reserves, who car-

ried him away in an ambulance. Sergeant Haney, of company B,

was made prisoner at Malvern hill. He had fallen behind the

regiment and laid down to rest, and while asleep the army passed

him. When he awoke and was on the point of following our

troops, a rebel soldier stepped up and secured him. In ^e loss of

public property it fared better than most other regiments. Some

lost every thing—the 104th very little. One drum of the corps of

twenty, only, reached the James, and that not in a very serviceable

condition. It was carried by drummer Straube, of company A, a

boy of fourteen years. He rode in the sutler's wagon part of the

way, which, no doubt, helped him to save the drum. He found a

better drum than his own on the field at White Oak swamp and

made an exchange. Two drums had survived the battle of Fair

Oaks, the one of Straube, already mentioned, and another carried

by little Smally of company F, which was broken up on the Chicka-

hominy when the retreat began. The men lost some of their

personal effects. The first morning report after the army reached

Harrison's landing was rendered the 8th of July, which gave 20

commissioned officers, and 433 men present, showing a falling off

since last report of 43 enlisted men. These were mainly stragglers,

most of whom came into camp in a few days.

Harrison's landing, or bar, is about twenty-five miles below Eioh-

mond, and within easy communication with Fortress Monroe.

Berkeley, the seat of the Harrison family, and the birth-place of

the late President of that name, was within the lines of our army.

The army occupied a line of heights about two miles from the river

with a length of front of nearly three miles. The intermediate

space was mostly a level plain. The engineers were immediately

PENNSYVANIA REGIMENT. 135

set to work laying out defensive works, and for three weeks the

whole force was employed constructing redoubts, intrenchments

and rifle-pits. The men were not permitted to rest until the posi-

tion was rendered entirely secure. The army of the Potomac then

occupied a strongly intrenched camp with the two flanks resting on

the river. The position assigned Naglee's brigade was on the left

extending part of the way from the front line down to the river.

It occupied a piece of timber well grown up in bushes, on a bluif

overlooking a deep and swampy ravine. It held that portion of the

intrenched camp that was most advanced toward Richmond. Abreastwork was constructed of logs three feet high along the brink

of the ravine, extending the whole front of the camp, and uniting

with the defences on the right and left. The camps were pitched

in the timber, all the brush having been cleared away. That

of the 104th was laid out with regularity, and the location was

pleasant.

I rejoined the regiment on the evening of the 31st of July, al-

though not entirely recovered of my wound. I found Captain

Eogers in command. The regiment looked much better than I

had a right to expect after the hardships it had lately passed

through. The camp was clean and well-regulated, the men neat

and orderly, and the usual discipline was fast being restored. Lieu-

tenant-colonel Neilds had resigned and gone home a few days be-

fore my arrival, on account of disability from a sun stroke during

the campaign. Surgeon Peck had also resigned. His vacancy was

filled by the promotion of assistant surgeon Robinson. Congress

had lately added one assistant surgeon to each regiment, and these

two positions now vacant in the 104th were filled by the appoint-

ment of Dr. W. Scott Hendrie of Doylestown and Dr. "Willis Cad-

wallader of Pineville. They accompanied me to Harrison's landing

and immediately entered upon the discharge of their duties. As I

passed through the company streets the next morning, and looked

along the line at dress parade that evening, I missed a number of


familiar faces. Some lay under the sod around Fair Oaks and

Seven Pines, and other places on the Peninsula, while others were

in hospital, maimed for life, or sick.

While the army lay at Harrison's landing but little transpired of

any interest. After the position had been rendered secure, atten-

tion was turned toward a restoration of the organization and disci-

pline of the army. A rigid system of drills was instituted, and

maintained with as much frequency as the weather would permit.

Part of the time the heat was so oppressive that the men fainted in

the ranks. The country round about was well picketed, and in the

direction of Richmond our lines extended nearly to Malvern hill.

The enemy now and then showed himself in our vicinity, but the

demonstrations were not of a serious character. There was quite

an alarm in camp the night of the 31st of July. The enemy

brought a battery or two down to the opposite bank of the river,

and opened upon our camps and shipping about midnight. Our

gunboats replied, and his guns were soon silenced. We lost a few

men killed and wounded. Three days afterward a considerable

body of troops was thrown across the river, and some defensive

works erected, to cover a landing in force, should it be deemed ne-

cessary. The few buildings the enemy made use of were burned.

On the 4th of August, general Hooker was sent out with his divi-

sion to make a demonstration to Malvern hill. He succeeded in

flanking the enemy's position and compelled him to fall back. The

hill was occupied by our troops, which was considered an important

point gained in case a forward move on the rebel capital should be

made from our present position. The band of the 104th was mus-

tered out here, under an act of Congress, which provided that all

regimental bands, enlisted as such, should be discharged. This

was done on the plea of retrenchment. As a measure of economy

it was contemptible, while the substance of the government was

daily wasting away at so many leak holes. It seemed like grudg-

ing the soldiers the pleasure of music. The President visited the


army on tie 4th of July and reviewed it, but the men were in a

son-y condition to receive their Commander-in-Chief.

As early as the 12th of July, there was an intimation that the

army would be withdrawn from the Peninsula. Greneral McClellan

was opposed to it, and protested against it. He was anxious to re-

main and complete the campaign begun. He maintained that to

be the road to Hichmond where lay the heart of the rebellion, and

urged the goA'ernment to send him re-enforcement? to accomplish

the desired object. He asked for twenty thousand additional troops,

which he thought were all that would be required. His general

plan was to move on the rebel capital in three columns, of thirty-

five thousand each. Soon after the army had reached Harrison's

landing, Burnside was ordered from North Carolina with seven

thousand men, who were landed at Newport News. Soon after-

ward a division came up from the department of the South, which

increased his force to eleven thousand. They were intended

to be sent up to McClellan, but they never reached him. Mean

while, general Halleck visited the army of the Potomac and had a

conference with the leading general officers. He was accompanied

to Washington by Burnside, to get instructions to take the re-en-

forcements to Harrison's landing, as it was then understood.

While he was at the capital, it was decided to withdraw the army

from the Peninsula.

No campaign during the war caused more or severer criticism

than the one of which I am writing. That it was unsuccessful, I

do not think was the fault of the army or its commander. Since

it was concluded, and many things have come to light which then

were not only unknown but not suspected, we can see errors com-

mitted on our side. These things were undeveloped while the

operations were pending, and the movements had to be governed

by the then existing circumstances. I believe general McClellan

acted according to his best judgment, however much that may have

led him into error; and it is doubtful whether any other com-


mander of that period, and surrounded by the same circumstances,

would have done better. Many might have done worse. He saved

the army, which others might have lost. Many things worked

against him, the blame of which is not his, though charged to his

account. He undertook the campaign with the distinct under-

standing that McDowell's column, moving down from Fredericks-

burg, was to strike the enemy in flank, which would have given us

immense superiority in numbers and position. Had this plan been

carried out, Richmond would have been ours by the 1st day of

June. Jackson was sent to make a demonstration up the valley, in

order to draw off McDowell, and he succeeded. This disarranged

the plans of the campaign, and compelled almost an entire change

of movement, always difficult in a large, and particularly new, army

in the presence of a powerful and watchful enemy. The rains and

mud of the last days of May and beginning of June, were worth

thousands of men to the enemy, as they compelled our army to rest

astride the Chiokahominy, unable to move either way. It gave

him time to concentrate, while we were compelled to remain sta-

tionary, and let our men sicken in the swamps. Great fault is

found because our army did not march into Richmond immediately

after the battle of Malvern hill. That was undoubtedly a defeat to

the enemy. We stood on the defensive, and their attack met a

bloody repulse. The feeling of common danger had much to do

with the manner in which our troops fought on that occasion.

They could not have accomplished so much had they been the at-

tacking party. After this battle our army was very greatly de-

moralized, and in many respects in not much better condition than

the enemy. After marching seven nights and fighting seven days,

it was not in a condition to change its movement and become the

assailant.

The flank movement to the James, always a dangerous one, and

not often performed, was a success. Whether it was justified under


the circumstances will be determined by impartial bistory, into

wbose realms all the movements of the war have passed.

While we lay at Harrison's landing the following promotions

were made, viz : Adjutant Hart to be lieutenant-colonel, vice

Nields, resigned; captain Rogers to be major, vice Gries, died of

wounds received in action ; orderly-sergeant Cadwallader to be

second lieutenant, vice McDowell, killed in action; orderly-sergeant

O'Neill to be second lieutenant, vice Beans, resigned; orderly-ser-

geant Fretz to be second lieutenant, vice Holmes, appointed com-

missary of subsistence. About the same time private Marcus Hol-

back was appointed commissary sergeant, in place of James M.

Rogers, discharged.


CHAPTER XL

Army ordered to withdraw from J^eninsula.-—March of army.—Bivouac at Charles City court

house.—Cross the Chickahominy.—Reach Williamsburg.—Arrive at Yorktown.—Armyembarks for Alexandria.—^104th sent to Gloucester Point.—The fort.—A reconnoissance.

—Ride to Eagle Point.—Dinner.—Return to Gloucester.—Mrs. Dobson.—Cattle captured

—Prisoners of war returned.—Health of regiment.—E.xperience of the prisoners.—Pro-

motions.

ON tlie 4th of August, general McClellan received a telegram from

general Halleck, directing him to withdraw the army to Ac-

quia Creek, leaving the execution of the order entirely to his judg-

ment and discretion. He was directed to cover the movement from

the enemy the best way he could, and to conceal the real object

from his own officers and men. Preparations for the withdrawal

were begun immediately. The sick and heavy material of the army

were sent off by water as rapidly as they could be shipped. Mean

while, reoonnoissances were pushed in several directions, to lead the

enemy to believe that a forward movement was contemplated. To

enable the army to move in light marching order, the knapsacks

were placed on divers water craft to be towed round by water.

Those of Naglee's brigade were put on board a canal boat, which

sank before it had an opportunity to leave Harrison's landing. The

knapsacks were fished up, and in their wet state put on board ano-

ther boat, and towed round to Yorktown. By this time they and

their contents were ruined, and were condemned by a board of sur-


vey. Many officers lost all their baggage. It was the second time

the men were stripped of every thing but what they stood in, in

four months. Congress had clothed the quartermaster-general with

power to replace the clothing of enlisted men lost under such cir-

cumstances; but notwithstanding frequent application was made,

and all the rules of the department complied with, nothing was re-

covered.

The order for the army to move was issued on the 11th, but

countermanded until the 14th. The corps of Porter and Heintzel-

man marched on the 14th, and Keyes on the 15th. The wagons

were sent off the afternoon before. A few intrenching tools and

other articles of little value were destroyed. The men of the 104th

made several stuffed paddys, which they placed on the breastwork,

with clubs in their arms, to watch over the destinies of the deserted

camp. One of these dummies was fastened on the back of an old

mule that was left running in the woods. "We marched at 4 o'clock

in tha^morning, and united with other divisions of the corps beyond

the intrenchments. We bivouacked at sun-down near Charles City

court house, Naglee's brigade in a corn-field, with the ears fit for

roasting. By morning there was a slim crop for the owner. The

road was blocked up with trains. We resumed the march at day-

light in the morning. In a few miles we intersected a heavy column

that had taken the river road, and we were obliged to wait a long

time to enable it to pass. We reached the Chickahominy near its

mouth, at Barrett's ferry, about noon, and crossed on a pontoon

bridge twenty-two hundred feet long. The long column of infantry^

with mingled batteries and wagons sweeping down to, and across

the bridge, was a fine military spectacle. Just below lay two gun-

boats to protect and cover the removal of the bridge. On the north

bank there were acres of wagons in park, hitching up and moving

off. One wing of the army crossed higher up the stream at Jones'

ford. The whole army, with the trains, artillery, &c., were safely


over on the 17th, except the rear-guard, which crossed the next

morning, when the bridge was taken up.

The night of the 17th our division lay within four miles of Wil-

liamsburg, and the next afternoon bivouacked six miles this side.

We remained here the 1 9th to enable the troops to be mustered and

inspected under a recent order from the war department. The

104th spent the twenty-four hours on picket near the York river,

and rejoined the division on the morning of the 20th in time to re-

sume the march. We reached Yorktown before noon, and encamped

near Wormley's creek, three miles below the town. The movement,

for so large a body of troops, was well arranged. The army had

withdrawn from the presence of the enemy without let or hinderance,

and no doubt without his understanding the movement until it was

too late to interfere with it. The trains when drawn out extended

forty miles. The columns were directed on the three points of York-

town, Fortress Monroe and Newport News, where transports were

waiting to convey the troops to Alexandria, their place of destina-

tion. The embarkation commenced as soon as the troops arrived,

and by the 23d the whole of the army of the Potomac had sailed,

except Sumner's corps and Peek's division of Keyes' corps. The

former followed in a few days, while the latter remained on the

Peninsula.

On the 18th of August general McClellan telegraphed general

Halleck in the following terms, urging him to say something com-

plimentary to the achievements of the army on the Peninsula,

viz :

—

" Please say a kind w'li'd to my army that I can repeat to them

in general orders, in regard to their conduct at Yorktown, Wil-

liamsburg, West Point, Hanover court-house, and on the Chicka-

hominy, as well as in regard to the seven days and the recent

retreat.

" No one has ever said any thing to cheer them but myself.

Say nothing about me. Merely give my officers and men credit for


what they have done. It will do you much good, and will strengthen

you much with them if you issue a handsome order to them in re-

gard to what they have accomplished. They deserve it."

As no reply was made to this, nor order issued in compliance

with the request, .it is probable the General-in-Chief was opposed

to complimenting the army of the Potomac for its achievements on

the Peninsula.

On the 23d general McClellan and staff embarked for Alexan-

dria, and arrived there on the 24th, to find himself not only with-

out an army but without a command.

As already mentioned. Peck's division remained on the Penin-

sula, the rest of the 4th -corps accompanying the Army of the Po-

tomac. Two brigades of the division were shortly sent down to

Suffolk, while that of Naglee, now under command of brigadier-

general Emory, remained about Yorktown. The headquarters of

the 4th corps was established at this place. During the opera-

tions in Maryland and Virginia against Lee's army, general Mc-

Clellan twice requested the secretary of war to re-enforce him with

Peck's division, but it was' refused.

General McClellan ordered a force sent over to Gloucester point

to hold that place, which would give us the control of the Peninsula

between the York and Severn rivers. I was selected for this' com-

mand, and the same afternoon of our arrival at Yorktown I received

an order from general Emory to take the 104th Pennsylvania and

the 98th New York regiments to that point and hold it. The men

had had no rest from the march of the day, but they obeyed the

order cheerfully. We crossed from Yorktown in a small steamer

about dark, and bivouacked on the plain in the rear of the fort. Afew rations were taken along for immediate use. As there was no

transportation at hand, the men were obliged to roll the barrels of

beef and carry the boxes of hard bread through the sand to the

plain, nearly half a mile from the landing. The gunboat Chocura

lay off the point for its protection, and soon after landing captain

144 ONE HUNDRED AND TOURTH

Pattison came ashore and introduced himself. He is a native of

Louisiana. I breakfasted with him nest day, and partook of a

more inviting meal than I had sat duwn to for some time. Our

camp equipage did not arrive that night, which being damp, with

a heavy dew falling, the men were chilled through before morning.

In the morning the 104th was moved into the fort. On the 22d

the 100th New York was sent over to replace the 98th, which was

returned to Yorktown. I was re-enforced by a battery of four three-

inch rifle guns, under command of lieutenant Mink, a gallant

young officer. It was encamped inside the fort and the guns

placed in the bastions. The 100th regiment encamped outside.

The picket line was established nearly a mile in front of the fort,

and extended across the Peninsula from Sarah's creek to York

river. The day we reached Yorktown from Harrison's landing,

William Worthington, of company F, died, and was buried in the

soldiers' cemetery just below the town.

The fort at Gloucester point was a regular pentagon, and probably

the largest earthwork ever built in this country. Following the

exterior slope of the ditch the distance around it was about a mile.

The enemy commenced its erection soon after the war began, and

it is said a thousand negroes were occupied upon it for about

twelve months. It occupied nearly the site of the old Revolutionary

works erected by the British in 1781, and near it were the ruins

of the brick house general Tarleton used for a hospital during the

siege of Yorktown, by Washington. The fort had all the appliances

of a first-class, regular work, and was planned by skilful engineers.

At the angle of the river was a strong water battery, from which

the enemy had removed the guns. When the fort was evacuated

in May, the guns were left in it, but had since been burst. I

was ordered to put it in thorough repair. We commenced work a day

or two after we occupied it, which was continued for about three

months, several hundred men being engaged on it daily. The

amount of labor done on and about it was very great, for it was

PENNSYLVANIA REGIMENT: 145

very much out of order. Among other repairs, one sala-porte was

closed up, and the other two narrowed to the proper width for

gates; the ditch, which was nearly filled with sand in several places,

was cleaned out; portions of the parapet newly sodded; all of the

slopes dressed up, and some of them graded. A bomb-proof run-

ning across the parade, and large enough to accommodate a thou-

sand men, was finished. As the enemy had not completed the

work, a large part of the surface of the parade required grading.

Most of the platforms were re-laid. When done, it presented a neat

appearance, and all agreed it paid for the labor expended on it

All the timber within a thousand yards was cut down ; and as the

country round about was level, an enemy approaching in the face

of a determined garrison would not have had a pleasant time in the

encounter. The ramparts were high above the river, and com-

manded the stream as far as guns could carry. The position at

Gloucester point was commanded by that at Yorktown, and the party

that held the latter controlled the former. The fort had five large

bastions.

We remained at this post over four months, during which time

very little of interest took place that is worth recording. The reali-

ties of war were rolling around us, leaving us in a state of compara-

tive peace. During this period we saw few of the hardships incident

to a campaign in an enemy's country.

On the 25th of August, in command of the 104th and a squad-

ron of cavalry, I was ordered to accompany lieutenant Bowen, To-

pographical Engineers, in a reconnoissance a few miles into the

interior. We marched at 3 o'clock, p. m. on the main road to

Gloucester court house, and bivouacked for the night at Hickory

fork, eight miles out. We passed through a beautiful agricultural

country, yet untouched by the hand of war. The farms were large

and well-cultivated, and generally owned by men of wealth. The

whole region was so peaceful and tranquil that it hardly seemed

possible that the country was. torn by the agonies of civil war.

—

10 -'


Herds of cattle and flocks of sheep were browsing on tte broad

meadows, while poultry strutted about in the security of the most

peaceful times. We found a few farms deserted by their owners,

who had either joined the enemy in the field, or placed themselves

under his protection at Richmond. On the way up we passed the

Abingdon Episcopal church, a fine old edifice, built more than a

century ago of bricks imported from England. It is situated in a

beautiful oak grove in the midst of a rich and populous neigh-

borhood.

Near our bivouack was the plantation of one Willie T. Robinson,

who had fled his home and left his estate to the management of his

slaves, who had not as yet turned contraband. The buildings and

surroundings indicated wealth and position in the owner. His barn

was filled with hay and grain, his fields covered with flocks and

herds, and poultry and fruit were abundant. The men learning

that Mr. Robinson was in arms against us, asked permission to make

a raid on his poultry-yard, which was granted, and that evening

many a chicken, duck and goose gave up the ghost.

The next morning chaplain Gries and myself accompanied lieu-

tenant Bowen, with an escort of cavalry, across the country to Eagle

point, where it was agreed the gun-boat Chocura should meet us by

steaming up the Severn. The regiment was conducted back to

camp by major Rogers. We rode about twelve miles in an east-

south-east course, and arrived at the point about noon and stopped

at the house of a Mr. Bryan. The country we passed through was

still more beautiful and productive than the region we traversed

yesterday. The well-stocked and well-cultivated farms made a de-

lightful impression on the mind. Blooded cattle, well-filled barns,

and fruit every where abounded. On the way we halted at the

plantation of a Mr. Clark, who liyed at an old-fashioned Virginia

homestead, such as we were wont to see in the palmy days of the

Old Dominion. Mr. and Mrs. C. very politely invited us to dis-

mount and enter the house, which we declined to do for want of


time. The servants brought us' delicious peaches, figs and pears,

fresh from the garden, which we ate with a relish as we sat on our

horses, and chatted with host and hostess of war and politics. Wefound Mr. C. a stanch rebel, with three sons in the army, while

Mrs, C. was no less warm in the cause. They complained bitterly

of the blockade, which they admitted hugged them very closely in

its embrace and deprived them of many useful and necessary arti-

cles. They stood more in need of brandy and salt than any thing

else. They were both much alarmed when they saw us approach-

ing, and BIrs. Clark remarked that the sight of the blue coats gave

her a pain in the back. With a promise to call again and take din-

ner, we rode away.

The mansion at Eagle point stands in a beautiful oak-grove and

looks out- upon a wide expanse of water abounding with the finest

oysters and water fowl. The broad hall was ornamented with deer

antlers and other articles that reminded one of " ye olden time." The

wife of the overseer prepared us a dinner of chickens, bacon, greens

and corn bread, to which we did ample justice and paid full price.

We went on board the gunboat at 2 p.m., and dropped anchor at

Crloucester point at 6. The return trip was exceedingly pleasant

At first it was the intention of the authorities to place a heavy

armament in the fort at Gloucester point, but the idea was aban-

doned. At one time a few 100-pounders, with their carriages were

landed and with great labor were hauled up by the men, but it was

afterward discovered that they were intended for Yorktown, and

they had to be hauled back.with equal fatigue. While we were repair-

ing the fort general Viele, who commanded at Norfolk, told me th'aj,

there were several hundred idle contrabands at that place, and that

a number could be had to work on the fortification. I made requi-

sition for two hundred, but never received a man. While I re_

mained in command the heaviest guns mounted on the fort were

the 3-inch rifles of Mink's battery.

148 ONE HUNDBBD AND FOURTH

Our lines being limited in extent, there were included in them

but few of the inhabitants. With a single exception they were quiet,

orderly, people and gave no trouble. Mr. Dobson, one of the parties,

was connected with some of the leading families of the county, and

his wife was a daughter of colonel Hayes, a wealthy gentleman who

lived a few miles up the country. She was rebel to the back-bone,

and very bitter. General Dix ordered their house to be taken for a

hospital, which made her furious, and she threatened to burn it

down before the hated Yankees could get possession of it. It was

seized, however, before she could put her threat into execution, and

a strong guard placed over it. There were found in it a quantity

of arsenic, which it is said she threatened to throw down the well,

part of a keg of powder and two loaded guns. She told the sur-

geon in charge that when she met him in h—1 she would scratch

his eyes out. She and her husband, with their eifects, were placed

outside our lines. Our picket lines were strictly maintained, and

no person was allowed to go beyond without a pass from the general

officer in command at Yorktown. All were allowed to enter who

claimed the protection of the government, and some days there

was a large number of negroes who came in to eat rations under

the protecting care of good-natured Uncle Samuel. Sometimes

these colored fugitives came with immense bundles that contained

the wardrobe of master or mistress, with the latter following closely

upon their heels. In such cases "American citizens of African

descent" would be made to disgorge their contraband property.

A contraband camp was formed at Yorktown, where some of the

men worked in the quartermaster's or commissary's department.

The first expedition into the enemy's country from Gloucester

point, for the purpose of making reprisals, was on the night of the

16th of September. During the day it was reported that cattle

were being collected at the house of one Jarret, said to hold a ma-

jor's commission in the rebel army, to be driven to Richmond the

next morning. I determined to capture them. I detailed compa-


nies F and G, 104th, and one company of the 100th New York,

and placed them under command of major Kogers, who was or-

dered to proceed to the place where the cattle were said to be, and

seize them. He left camp about 9 o'clock, p.m., but on reach-

ing the picket line he was delayed by the guide a considerable

time. On reaching Jarret's house thirty-one head were found in an

adjoining field, which a member of the family admitted were to be

driven to Richmond. He returned to the fort at 2 o'clock in

the morning with the cattle, which were turned over to the post

commissary at Yorktown for the use of the army.

On Saturday, the 26th of September, there was an important ar-

rival at Grloueester point. On that day the men who had been

made prisoners at the battle of Fair Oaks rejoined the regiment.

They were forty-seven in number, of which forty belonged to com-

pany E. They had been confined in the rebel prisons at Eichmond

and Saulsbury, N. C, nearly four months. Their arrival created

quite an excitement among their old companions. Many ran down

to the landing to greet them as they came ashore, and as they

crossed the ramparts into the fort the whole regiment received

them with a shout of welcome. Their forlorn appearance was a

silent relator of the hardships they had endured. They were im-

mediately furnished with new clothing, which they put on as soon

as they had bathed their bodies in the cool waters of the running

river. A number of them were turned over to the kind attention

of surgeon Kobinson, while all were excused from duty for a couple

of weeks to give them time to recover their strength. Several were

left behind, sick in hospital. The men spoke of their treatment,

while prisoners of war, as harsh in the extreme. At the same time

we received twenty recruits, and sixteen convalescents from hospi-

tals, some of whom had been wounded on the Peninsula.

The first month's residence at Gloucester point had very mate-

rially improved the health of the regiment. The men had lost that

sickly appearance which they had while campaigning on the


Chiokaliominy. They liad access to an abundance of fisli and

oysters, and fine salt water bathing which, added to the salubrity

of the situation, worked the marked change in their personal ap-

pearance. For the month of September the surgeon's report shows

the number excused from duty, at the sick call in the morning, to

vary from two on the 8th, the lowest, to twenty-one on the 15th,

the highest, but which had dropped down to thirteen on the 23d

;

which exhibits a good sanitary condition in a regiment five hun-

dred strong, in a sickly month, and while engaged in heavy fatigue

duty.

The returned prisoners gave a somewhat interesting account of

their experience while in the hands of the enemy. Company E

was captured about six o'clock in the evening by the 1st South

Carolina volunteers as it was falling back down the York river rail-

road, near Fair Oaks station. The enemy had been lying in am-

bush. The prisoners were conducted through the swamp and bushes

to the Nine Mile road, which they struck near the headquarters of

general Naglee. This was close by the camp of the 104th, but the

men were not permitted to go to their tents to get their knap-

sacks. The camp was filled with rebel soldiers, who were helping

themselves to clothing. They were then conducted over the ground

where the 104th had fought, on which they saw many of our men

lying. Passing to the rear, they soon came up to the main body of

the enemy. Here their reception was amusing. The first saluta-

tion they received was, "What are youeas come dowa here to fight

weens for? Youens are going to Kichmond, are you? We expect

you will get there before you want to. We expect you will stay at

home and mind your own business, and not come down here to in-

vade our soil." They were then marched about a mile to the rear,

where the enemy's reserves were stationed. Here they remained

all night.

The next morning they were conducted to Richmond under a

guard of cavalry, distance some four miles. The road was filled with


stragglers and wounded soldiers, and every house they passed was

a hospital. They arrived at 8 o'clock, a. m. As they were marched

through the streets to the prison, they were saluted by females, cry-

ing: "Well, you got to Richmond; you^got here sooner than you

expected." They were put into the Libby tobacco warehouse for a

few days, when they were transferred to Saulsbury, North Carolina,

where they arrived on the 5th of June. This was a decided change

for the better, as they were treated with much less severity. They

were confined in an old cotton factory with a shaded yard attached,

the whole surrounded by a high board fence, The prisoners were

allowed the privilege of the yard from 6 a. m. to 6 p. m., with two

meals a-day.

To amuse themselves during the weary hours of their confine-

ment, they initiated games and amusements of divers kinds. A fa-

vorite occupation was manufacturing articles of ornament from their

meat bones, some of which were prettily made and fashioned with

commendable skill. Many of them were sold to the citizens, which

enabled the men to purchase little necessaries for themselves; while

others were brought home as mementoes of their prison life. Their

only tools were their pocket-knives, or old case-knives made into

saws. On the 4th of July the prisoners were allowed to celebrate

our National Independence. It was quite a festive occasion. The

officers formed the men into procession and marched them to a

platform, where the Declaration and the Farewell Address of Wash-

ington were read, which was followed by singing several patriotic

songs. The afternoon was devoted to amusements, among which were

embraced a wheelbarrow race, a bag race, followed by a chase

after a well-greased and well-shaven pig. He was a slippery cus-

tomer to. handle, and the one who caught him was to be paid his

value. The fortunate captor was corporal Christian Biokel, com-

pany E, 104th. The exercises of the day were concluded by a

game of base ball among the officers for a silver cup. There were

confined there, also, several citizen prisoners. One dark, stormy


night, several of them made an attempt to escape. They were dis-

covered by the sentinel, who cried out to the corporal of the guard

that the Yanks were getting out. The corporal ordered the senti-

nel to shoot them, but this functionary replied that his "gun would

not push." A few prisoners escaped, and the lieutenant of the

guard was shot by accident by one of the sentinels. The prisoners

were transferred to Richmond about the middle of August, prepa-

ratory to being discharged. They were confined on Belle island

until the 12th of September, when they signed their paroles. The

next day they left Eichmond for Aiken's landing on the James

river, where they took steamboat for Annapolis, and thence to the

convalescent camp at Alexandria, and Gloucester point. Of those

captured at Fair Oaks, two are known to have died at Richmond—Lewis H. Eckhart, of company B, and sergeant Erwin, of company

— . They were both wounded, and were taken to-Belle island. The

former died on the island, and the latter on a flat-boat, which was

conveying him to a hospital over in the city. General Naglee re-

sumed command of the brigade on the 28th of September, after an

absence of nearly three months. General Emory, who was relieved,

accompanied general Banks on his expedition to New Orleans. Heis esteemed one of the most intelligent and best informed men in

the army, and was well liked by the men.

During the month of September the fjllowing promotions were

made in the regiment, viz. : lieutenant Henry W. Harvey to be cap-

tain, vice Rogers promoted to the majority; orderly sergeant Laugh-

lin to be first lieutenant, vice Harvey promoted; first lieatenant Kep-

hart to be captain, vice Orum resigned; second lieutenant McCoyto be first lieutenant, vice Kephart promoted; and orderly sergeant

William P. Haney to be second lieutenant, vice McCoy promoted.


CHAPTER XII.

Ecgiment made comfortable.—Drills begin —Soldiors tried for murder.—Search for rebel

mails.—Fine oysters.—Arrival of ladies.—Regimental moss.—PiclcGt lines attacked.

—

Our loss.— Eetaliation.—{Target firing.— Promotion.— Contraband—[Command in-

crea,sed.—Armorer appointed.—Cold weather.—Expedition to Matthews county.—Its

result.—Whiskey left behind.

AS soon as tHe repairs to the fort were finished, attention was

turned to making the garrison comfortable, each regiment

managing its own improvement in this particular. The 104th and

the battery were still encamped inside the fort and the 100th regi-

ment outside. It was now presumed we would remain here all

winter, and the arrangements were made accordingly. A large

supply of fuel was cut and piled up in the fort. For some time a

detail of two companies was made daily to go into the slashing and

cut timber, which in good weather averaged twenty cords a day.

The party was in charge of sergeant Jonathan White. New Sibley

tents with stoves were issued to the troops. A new camp for the

104th was laid out with the greatest regularity along the curtain

connecting the north-west and south-west bastions. The tents were

stockaded about five feet from the ground with split pine logs, and

floored with pine boards. This raised them high enough from the

ground to allow a door through which a man could walk upright.

The stockades were whitewashed. This arrangement added greatly

to the comfort and convenience of the tents, and one would now

accommodate a dozen men quite comfortably. A log kitchen,


twelve feet square, covered with shingles or boards, with hrick

fire-places, was built for each company. To economize space, two

kitchens were built under the same roof, divided by a stockade par-

tition. By order of general Keyes a commissary store-house, forty-

five by twenty-five feet, capable of holding rations for the garrison

for thirty days was erected. It was also stockaded, but the logs

were hewn so as to make close joints. It was bossed by sergeants

Ryan and Fox, and was a building that would do credit to me-

chanics any where. A comfortable guard house with officers' quar-

ters attached, was also erected. A portion of the lumber for these

buildings was issued by the quartermaster at Yorktown, and the

rest obtained in the neighborhood outside our lines. Sutler McCarty

built a large store-house, and captain Duncan, in anticipation of

his family spending part of the winter with him, erected a comfort-

able little dwelling in the south-east bastion. In connection with

these improvements and to further the comfort of the men for the

coming winter, a complete outfit of warm clothing was drawn and

issued to them.

When the fatigue was finished, the attention of the officers was

turned to regular and systematic drills. Neatness and discipline

were strictly enforced. In a little time so great emulation was

established that it was a difficult matter to select the cleanest man

at guard mounting to be excused from duty for the next twenty-

four hours. To foster a greater spirit of emulation in the matter

of cleanliness, a beautiful medal of gold and blue enamel was pur-

chased, which was awarded at Sunday morning inspection to the

cleanest and most soldierly-looking man in the regiment. The one

who got it carried it for a week and was excused from all duty for

this period. The regiment was inspected by an officer entirely dis-

interested, and the award was the recognition of merit. During the

period of which I write, that portion of the brigade encamped on

the Yorktown side of the river had not been reposing in idleness.

The works there were much enlarged and strengthened, and hun-


dreds of men were kept at work on them. The timber within

cannon range was cut down, while the intrenchments that the armyof the Potomac threw up during the siege of the spring before,

were levelled, to prevent an enemy using them for any offensive pur-

pose. A new and much heavier armament was provided for the

works, among which were several large rifled pieces.

In October several soldiers of the 1st Pennsylvania artillery were

tried before a military commission at Yorktown for committing a

brutal murder near that place. It appeared from the evidence that

on the 4th of September a number of them left camp, without

permission, and went down the river on a plundering expedition.

They entered the premises of a Mr. Dawson, and while robbing his

orchard one of them was badly beaten by some person about the

farm. The next day they returned with several others, to have

revenge. While passing along the road toward Cheeseman's land-

ing, they overtook a Mr. Stokes, a harmless citizen of the neigh-

borhood, returning home in his cart from Yorktown. Without

previous acquaintance, or the least provocation, they attacked him,

knocked him out of the cart, an,d beat and stabbed him in such a

manner- that he died of his wounds. The two most guilty were

hanged, and the others punished more lightly. The example was a

good one, and no doubt had a salutary effect upon that class of sol-

diers who think themselves privileged to maltreat the inhabitants

of the country where they are stationed. Our army was continually

disgraced by the evil deeds of such characters.

It was strongly suspected that the enemy had a mail route from

the head of Mobjack bay through a region of country known as

Gruinea, and thence through Gloucester court house to Kichmond.

Understanding that a mail was to leave for the rebel capital on the

night of the 8th instant, from the house of one Alexander Glass,

near the mouth of Severn river, I despatched Captain Payne, 100th

New York, with his company, to endeavor to intercept it. The

house was surrounded and thoroughly searched, but no mail was

156 ONE HUNDRED AND rOUETH

found. There was evidence of an early intention to visit Richmond,

however. In one room was a basket filled with cakes, jellies, and

other delicacies, and a valise packed with new shirts and many other

articles of wardrobe labelled for an officer of Wise's legion. When

it was too late, it was learned that the mail was to start from a neigh-

boring house, and no doubt it reached its destination in safety. This

was a region of country through which considerable illicit trade

was carried on with the enemy. Boats would land their cargoes in

the quiet waters that bordered it, when the goods would be loaded

into wagons ready to receive them, and hurried off into the interior.

Subsequently a gunboat was stationed in Mobjack bay and the trade,

in a great measure, broken up. Captain Payne, who led this little

expedition, afterward became quite distinguished as a scout in the

operations before Charleston, where he was made prisoner in a boat

reconnoissance in August 1863.

Our command was fortunate in being located near the finest oys-

ter beds in the country, and as the height of the season was at band,

officers and men indulged without stint in the luxury of these deli -

clous bivalves. York river has long been celebrated for its fine

oysters, and for many years the Virginians made their trausporta-

tion to New York a lucrative business. It employed a number of

vessels. As the owners were not allowed to carry them away since

the war began, they had accumulated in immense numbers. The

bottom of Sarah's creek was literally one great oyster bed, and in

the river they were found clinging to the rocks in great clusters.

Those that were planted and cultivated were esteemed superior to

those that grew where nature deposited them. For the conve-

nience of the garrison, a citizen living inside the lines was permit-

ted to open an oyster house, where they were to be found at all

times, "roasted, fried, or on the shell." The companies were per-

mitted to go oystering in turn and sometimes they returned with

several bushels. In addition there were fine water fowl^ and fish of

several varieties in the river and creeks. One or the other of these


delicacies gi-aced the mess of the officers and men daily, and not

only contributed to the luxury of living, but were beneficial to

health. To prevent imposition, a tariff of prices was fixed to govern

the sales of oystermen to the garrison. Several officers who ex-

pected their wives to spend the winter with them had prepared

comfortable quarters just ouside the fort, between it and the camp of

the 100th New York. The location had given to it the name of

"Quality Row." Among the ladies who came down to cheer up the

camp life of her husband was Mrs. Harvey, wife of captain H. of the

104th. Mrs. Holmes also made a visit to her husband, who was

post-commissary at Yorktown. Later in the season the wife of cap-

tain Duncan arrived, and remained for a few days. These domestic

arrangements were sadly broken in upon just before New Year, by

the troops being ordered south to engage in active operations. The

latter part of October sixteen additional recruits arrived for the

regiment, which, with those who had joined before and the return-

ed prisoners of war, increased our strength about one hundred men.

One of the useful institutions of the post was a regimental mess

established by the officers of the 104th. They tlubbed together

and employed a couple of colored men to open the establishment,

where reasonably good board, and at a moderate price, could be ob-

tained. A large hospital tent served as a dining room, and a wall

tent in the rear was used for a kitchen. With a cow, a plentiful

supply of fish and oysters, frequent water fowls, with the privilege

of purchasing the more substantial articles of the commissary of

subsistence, the proprietors were enabled to keep up a very respect-

able table. The patrons were well pleased with the arrangement, and

regretted when a change of location compelled them to _give it up.

When the regiment left the fort the establishment was inherited by

the garrison that succeeded us. Our army should follow the example

of that of Great JBritain in regard to messes, and compel the officers

of each regiment to maintain one when stationed at a post or occupy-

ing other locality that afibrds the proper facility. The influence is


every way beneficial to the service. It improves the social qualities

and good feeling among the officers, and besides looks more Chris-

tian-like to meet face to face at meal time around a well-spread

board, than to sit in one's tent and munch the ration alone like a

hermit. The first week in November captain W. W. Marple was

sent to Harrisburg to bring on the drafted men required to fill

the regiment to its maximum number. After waiting several days

he returned without them, as it had been determined, mean while,

that they should be formed into regiments. For the month of Oc-

tober the average of sick was a little ' over four per cent, of the

whole number, showing a remarkable condition of health compared

to the troops on the other side of the river, where in some regi-

ments it went up as high as twenty-five per cent.

One night a stranger came to the picket and represented himself

a Union man who lived down the river a few miles; that he desired

to come within our lines for the protection of himself and family.

He stated that his political sentiments had made him obnoxious to

his neighbors. Lieutenant Lehen, with company E, was sent down

in a light-draft steamer, which brought him and his effects up to

Yorktown, whence they were furnished with transportation to Bal-

timore. While we were at Gloucester point, captains Swartzlander

and Corcoran, both badly wounded at Fair Oaks, rejoined the regi-

• ment.

Our first and only conflict with the enemy while at this post was

an affair that happened on the morning of the 16th of November at

the Hook store, a mile from the fort, between a small party of the

104th, under lieutenant Markley, and a company of the enemy's

local cavalry, known as the King and Queen rangers. That after-

noon two squadrons of our cavalry, with a piece of artillery, under

major Hall, had crossed the river on their way to make a recon-

noissance to Gloucester court-house. They bivouacked for the night

in the edge of the timber near the fort. Just before midnight I

received information that the enemy's cavalry was on its way to


attack our lines. A messenger was sent to major Hall to put him

on his guard and to request his assistance, but he had already left.

Company D, 104th, and one company of the 100th New York, were

sent out to strengthen the pickets, with directions for lieutenant

Markley to take ten or fifteen men and place them in ambush in a

wood a few hundred yards outside the lines.

He advanced his party of seven men nearly a mile from the

lines and placed them behind a fence at the Hook store. Between

two and three o'clock cavalry were heard advancing, and when

they came within seventy-five yards lieutenant Markley cried

''Halt." After the interval of a few minutes sergeant Leather-

berry called out " Who goes there ?" The enemy responded

"Friends." The sergeant then asked "Who do you call friends?"

To which they replied " Federals." Another of the party then

asked to what regiment they belonged. To which they replied

"105th Pennsylvania cavalry." Sergeant Eosenberger then cried

out that would not answer, and called to the approaching party to

"Stand." Lieutenant Markley immediately gave the order to fire,

which his own men and the enemy did almost simultaneously.

Four of the little party fell, one killed and three wounded. The

enemy then charged upon them and captured the three who re-

mained unhurt. He then rode off with his prisoners,toward

Richmond. Lieutenant Markley reported his disaster to the field-

officer of the day on the picket line, when a party was sent out to

bring in the body of the one killed and the wounded man who could

not help himself. The other two found their way to camp by day-

light. The party attacked consisted of sergeants Eosenberger,

Leatherberry and private Shelley, captured; privates Baltz killed,

and Heller, Geary and Trumbower wounded. After several weeks'

confinement the prisoners were sent home under parole. All re-

joined the regiment except Shelley, who deserted.

Lieutenant Markley was censured for his conduct on this occa-

sion, and to determine his responsibility he requested a court of


inquiry. It was granted and met a few days afterward. Colonel

West, chief of artillery of the 4th corps, was president. After an

examination of the circumstances they submitted the following re-

port, which was approved, viz :

"Lieutenant Markley's errors on the occasion mentioned were

those of inexperience and not of inattention, and that a proper re-

gard for the public interest would not warrant further proceedings

in the case."

For this unprovoked attack on the pickets the neighborhood was

made to suffer a severe retaliation. Two white men and a negro

were arrested and taken to Yorktown, one, the young man who was

clerk in the store before which the men of the 104th were shot

down, and the other a physician of the hamlet. They were put to

inconvenience by being detained some time, but suffered no per-

sonal injury. The tide mill on the creek at the picket line was

taken possession of and run for the use of the troops. Heretofore

persons living on^both sides of the line had been permitted to take

grists there to be ground, but this privilege was now entirely pro-

hibited. It was placed in charge of corporal Perry and private

Ellis, who gave it a complete overhauling and run it to grind flour

and corn meal for the garrison. The order was afterward so far

relaxed that the citizens living within the lines were permitted to

patronize the mill. A small wind-mill on York river was also

seized, and as they were the only two in that section of country

the inhabitants were put to great inconvenience by not being

allowed to use them. The grain and flour in both mills were con-

fiscated. The Hook store was ordered to be burned, and on the

following Friday night lieutenant-colonel Hart, with two companies

of the 104th, H and I, were sent out to put the order into execu-

tion. Being frame, and old and dry, it was soon in flames and re-

duced to ashes. The country was lighted up for miles around, and

it served as a warning to others. Mr. Scott, our sutler, resigned on

the 24th, and Michael H. Jenks, late quartermaster-sergeant, was


elected ia tis stead. Great offence was giveu to the troops the lat-

ter part of the month by the inauguration of brigade drills on Sun-

day. It was the custom of the general Naglee, to send two or

three regiments across the river from Yorktown, which, united with

those stationed at Gloucester, made a full brigade, which was

drilled on the beautiful plain for several hours. As the President's

order had set the Sabbath apart as a day of rest, the officers and

men went to the field with reluctance. There was no necessity for

such military display in the absence of active operations.

Our occupation of Gloucester point was an advantage to the men,

in point of discipline and instruction, which could not have been

enforced in the field. It gave us an opportunity to practise the new

system of target firing established by the War Department. Each

soldier was permitted to expend ten cartridges a week in this prac-

tice, and the result of the firing was duly reported at head quarters.

A few preliminary lessons were given to the commissioned officers, in^

estimating distances, and the method of aiming, which in turn they

communicated to their men. A little practice enabled them to es-

timate a given distance in yards or feet with a great deal of accu-

racy. The targets were made of canvas, stretched on frames, and.

crossed by a vertical and horizontal stripe, two inches wide. A

correct record was kept of each shot, and at the end of the month

a return was made up showing the number of shots, the number of

hits, and the ratio of hits for each hundred shots fired. The dis-

tance commenced with was one hundred and fifty yards. The men

improved under this practice, but the best firing made did not show

much over one third hits in proportion to the shots fired, which

was probably the average firing of our regiments. If only one shot

in three hits, when fired at a target, it can easily be understood why

so many cartridges are wasted in action when there is little oppor-

tunity to take aim. The European armies are far ahead of ours in

rifle-practice, where schools are establishfid and firing with the rifle

taught as a science. Our regimental library received quite an ad-

11


dition of books while at ttls post, the contribution of Mr. S. A.

Nichols, of Reading. They numbered between two and three hun-

dred volumes. Books were in great demand among the men, and

all that the little library contained were in constant use.

In the month of Noyember the following names were forwarded

to Harrisburg for promotion, viz:—First lieutenant Groff to be

captain, vice Walters, resigned : second lieutenant Ashenfelder to

be first lieutenant, vice Groff, promoted : orderly sergeant Bitting

to be second lieutenant, vice Ashenfelder, promoted : orderly ser-

geant Scarborough to be second lieutenant, vice Robinson, resigned.

At the same time sergeant-major Wallazz was appointed adjutant of

the regiment, vice Hart promoted to lieutenant-colonel. Assistant

surgeon Hendrie resigned his commission, after serving with the

regiment three months and a half.

The contraband system gave us considerable trouble. During

the fall the practice had grown up of permitting crowds of negroes

to cross from Yorktown to Gloucester on Sunday morning. They

were allowed to visit the picket line, and the officers and men on

duty there found it impossible to prevent them holding communi-

cation with their friends outside. Market was held on the line,

Sunday morning, and it was quite evident the meetings were ar-

ranged in many instances for the purpose of conveying information

back and forth. Nearly every negro came with a well-filled bag to

pass over the line. One was detected smuggling through a knap-

sack filled with clothing, and another a pair of new government

shoes. Five contrabands whom we had fed at Yorktown made their

escape to the enemy, and were, no doubt, employed spies. These

visits became a source of so much annoyance, and promised to be

so fruitful of mischief, that they were prohibited, when the trouble

ceased. Hereafter all negroes within our lines at Gloucester were

registered and furnished with passes, which gave them restricted

privileges. The 104th employed twenty-four as private servants,

and the 100th had about an equal number.


About the first of December several militia regiments, a portioa

of the new levies, arrived at Yorktown and reported to general

Keyes. They were mainly from Pennsylvania, and mustered in for

nine months. The 169th was assigned to my command, and was

placed in camp on the river bank just to the east of the fort. It

was composed of as fine material as I had ever seen, and when pro-

perly drilled and disciplined, made excellent troops. At the re-

quest of the commanding officer, I detailed two commissioned, and

several non-commissioned, officers, from the 104th, as drill masters,

namely, captain Groff, lieutenant Laughlin, and sergeants Porter,

Tyson, Purcell, Mitchener, Spangler, Strawbridge and Bissey, and

corporals McGraudy and Houssam. They set about their work with

diligence, and there was a marked improvement from day to day.

The instruction was continued while we remained at the post.

By virtue of general order No. 189, from the war department,

each regimental commander, whose regiment was armed with any

other arms than the Springfield rifled muskets of the years 1855-

'61, was authorized to appoint an armorer, who was required to be

a competent and skilful mechanic. He was to receive forty cents

a-diiy in addition to his pay as soldier. I appointed corporal Quimby,

of company H, to this position. The ordnance department furnished

him .with a chest of tools and spare parts, which enabled him to re-

pair our Austri-in rifles whenever they required it. It was found

to be a great convenience in the field, and many a rifle that would

otherwise have been thrown aside as worthless, was saved to the

government. The chest of tools included a small forge and a peck

of coal.

During a portion of the time the weather was bitterly cold. The

duty on the picket line was very severe, and at times all the endu-

rance the men possessed was called for. They, with their officers

were required to perform the full term of twenty-four hours without

being relieved or seeking shelter, in spite of rain or cold. The

darker and stormier the night, the greater the vigilance require


Fire was not allowed under any circumstances, and oftentimes it

was far from a pleasant occupation to stand silently on post and wait

and watch for the morning to dawn. Our line to be guarded was

a mile and a half long. In all my experience I have never known

the duty to be done with more fidelity. The best evidence of the

manner in which it was discharged, is the fact that nothing was

molested outside the line, where a state of quiet reigned. A faith-

ful sentinel is a jewel in the service. One gunboat lay opposite the

point all the time, and frequently two. In October the Chocura

was relieved by the side-wheel steamer Mehaska, commander Fox-

hall Parker. A code of signals was agreed upon, so as to direct her

fire in case the fort should he attacked in the night, and also to keep

the commanding general at Yorktown advised of what was going on

at the front. The gunboats occasionally made excursions to the

neighboring waters to look after contraband trade.

The last of November an expedition went up into Mathews county

to destroy salt works that had been supplying the enemy. The

land force consisted of three hundred men of the 52d Pennsylvania

and, the lltk Maine, under command of Major Conyngham. They

were embarked on. the Mehaska, and a small tug, at night, steamed

Tip the east river and landed two miles from the Mathews court

house. The infantry was accompanied on its march by a boat

howitzer, drawn by forty sailors from the gunboat, in charge of

master Blake. They marched ten miles, and in all broke up be-

tween thirty and forty kettles, and destroyed some three thousand

bushels of salt. Our loss was one officer and two men, who strao--

gled away from the command, and were picked up by the enemy's

cavalry. A few of the leading citizens were seized, but were re-

leased. After the return of the troops, an ofiicer remarked to the

writer that the expedition was a complete success, except in one

particular—their failure to bring with them three barrels of fine old

whisky which was found in the house of one Sandy Smith. The


only excuse for ttis neglect was, ^at they did not appreciate how

good it was until it had been left behind.

The following additional promotions were made in the regiment

the 3d of December, viz :—second lieutenant Kessler to be first

lieutenant, vice Hinkle resigned; orderly sergeant Myers to be se-

cond lieutenant, vice Kessler promoted; orderly sergeant Taylor to

be second lieutenant, vice Albertson resigned. Lieutenant Kessler

was on recruiting service when promoted, and never rejoined his

company. He was commissary of subsistence at the recruiting de-

pot, Harrisburg, Pa., a considerable time, and afterward served in

the same capacity on the staff of general Couch, during the rebel

invasion of the summer of 1863. He resigned in August of that

year, on account of bad health.

16Q ONE HUNDRED AND FOURTH

CHAPTER XIII.

Eeconnoissance to Gloucester court house.—Visit home—Troops leave Gloucester.—Sail

with scaled orders.—Land in North Carolina.—Rejoin the troops.—Onr location.—Final

destination unknown.—Placed in command of brigade.—Camps dull.—Glee club and

concert.—Joined by other troops.—We sail South..M)ur strength.—How troops lived on

board.—Transports at sea.—Destination linown.—Dcstioed for Charleston.

INthe absence of general Keyes general Naglee made a recon-

noissance in force to Gloucester court house and the surrounding

country. The column consisted of four regiments of infantry of

his own brigade, a battery of artillery, and two squadrons of ca-

valry. They marched on the morning of the 11th of December, at

6 o'clock, and bivouacked at the court house that afternoon. The

general overtook them at 6 o'clock p. m. At the time the column

marched, ninety men of the 6th New York cavalry and one com-

pany of the Independent battalion embarked on board a steam ferry

boat, and were conveyed round into tho Piankatunk river, by the

gunboat Mahaska, and landed near Matthews court house the next

morning. They marched across the country and joined the main

body the same afternoon. They encountered a party of mounted

rangers, but met with no serious opposition. Reconnoitring parties,

horse and foot, were sent out in all directions from Gloucester

court house to beat up the enemy and intercept contraband trade.

On the morning of the 13th the 5th Pennsylvania, and a detach-

ment of the 6th New York cavalry, accompanied by the general,


pasted a reconnoissanee in the direction of Buena Vista, the head,

quarters of the King and Queen rangers. The enemy retreated on

the approach of our forces, and were pursued to Centreville, two

miles beyond. On the return of the cavalry the enemy's barracks

were burned and some subsistence stores destroyed. The 14th, the

cavalry was sent into Middlesex county, to destroy a large tannery that

was manufacturing leather for the rebel army. The buildings, ma-

chinery, and two thousand hides were destroyed, and several wagon

loads of finished leather brought away. The proprietors were made

prisoners and carried to Yorktown. The same afternoon the force

marched back to Grloucester point and that evening crossed over to

Yorktown. They returned loaded with plunder, in the shape of

horses, cattle, sheep, hogs, and corn, which were turned over to the

proper officers. Fifteen or twenty prisoners were fetched along,

among whom was a captain Sewell, a member of the convention

that forced Virginia out of the union. The expedition was marred

by disgraceful pillaging on the part of some of the troops, which

was of such a shameful character as to receive the public condem-

nation of the commanding general.

At this time our most advanced pickets on the Peninsula were a

short distance beyond Williamsburg, which town was held by our ca-

valry. Occasionally there was skirmishing between the opposing

forces, and once the enemy drove our troops out and seized the

town, but only held it a few hours. The State Insane Asylum lo-

cated here, fell into our care and was given adequate protection.

—

A surgeon of the army was assigned to manage it, and at one time

the commissary of subsistence at Yorktown sent to it 3000 prepared

rations for the inmates. The rebel troops on the Peninsula at this

time were in part Wise's legion.

On the 23rd of December I left Gloucester point to go home on

a seven days' leave of absence, from the War Department. Before

the expiration of the leave I learned that the brigade was under

marching orders. Not wishing to be left behind, I hurried south


as rapidly as possible to joia my command. I reacted Fortress

Monroe the morning of the 31st of December, to find that the

104th had sailed two days before, with sealed orders, for an un-

known point.

This movement was sudden and unexpected. The first intima-

tion received of it was on the 24th, when a circular was sent to

regimental commanders, directing them to have their commands

ready to move by water at short notice. Two days' rations were

cooked and kept on hand, and the other necessary preparations made

for embarking. Some of the regiments embarked earlier, but the

104th did not get aboard until Sunday the 28th. The baggage

and camp equipage were shipped the night before in a rain storm.

To this regiment was assigned the William Woodbury, ^a fine sailing

vessel of twelve hundred tons -burden, and with it was embarked

the Independent battalion, New York volunteers, making in all, on

board, an aggregate of eight hundred and ninety-one officers and

men, the whole under the command of lieutenant-colonel Hart.

—

Ten days' uncooked rations were put on board each vessel, which

sailed with sealed orders not to be opened until twenty miles south

of cape Henry. The strength of the brigade at this time was four

thousand three hundred and thirty-eight officers and men, and

consisted of eight regiments. They were embarked on seven

transports.

The regiment left the fort at Gloucester with some regret, and

as the transports sailed down the river, many a longing, lingering,

look was cast behind at the pleasant quarters that should know them

no more forever. And then there were visions of oysters, and fish,

and canvas-backs, and other comfortable things that were left be-

hind. The prospects of active service, however, cheered up the

men, and they took their departure for unknown parts in fine spirits.

The transport reached Portress Monroe Monday afternoon, and as

soon as the sailing orders were received, she stood out to sea.


When I arrived at the fortress, the steamer Expounder, with the

52d regiment on board, was still at anchor in the harbor, and was

to sail that afternoon. By the politeness of colonel Dodge, the com-

mandant, I was provided with transportation and a state room, and

went on board with my luggage. "We stea,med out the harbor at 3

p.m., in a strong gale from the north-east, and a heavy sea running.

The wind increased, and the billows rolled higher and higher every

hour since we hove up the anchor, and when we had got a few miles

outside the capes, he considered it most prudent to return. He

therefore steamed back and dropped anchor near the fortress until

morning. The gale was a severe one, and we were fortunate in

putting back, for the frail river steamer on which we were could

hardly have weathered Hatteras. It was in this storm that the

iron-clad Monitor foundered off this stormy cape, and went to the

bottom with several of her officers and crew. The storm had mode-

rated considerably by the next morning, when we again put to sea,

this time not to return.

Twenty miles outside of the capes the sealed orders were opened,

when it was found that our destination was the harbor of Beaufort,

North Carolina. The short voyage was made without accident or

incident, if I except the jumping overboard of a mule off Hatteras,

which it is to be presumed was taken immediately to the bosom of

Neptune, the ruler of the seas. We dropped anchor on Friday

morning, the 2d of January. As we ran in, we passed the Wood-^

bury, with the 104th on board, anchored two miles outside the bar

waiting for a steam-tug to tow her over. The 52d disembarked the

same afternoon at Morehead city, the port of Beaufort, and pro-

ceeded out to camp. The 104th was landed the next morning. All

the other regiments of the brigade had preceded us, except the 56th,

which arrived on the 4th.

The place selected for the camps was on the railroad three miles

in the interior, and is known on the map of North Carolina as Caro-

lina city. It is made up of a small depot and two or three dwellings.

170 ONE HUNDRED AND EOUKTH

Beaufort contained some two thousand inhabitants before the war,

and is an unattractive village of cheerless-looking houses and sandy

streets. Morehead is the terminus of the Atlantic and North Caro-

lina railroad, and contained some twenty or thirty frame houses.

The wharf and depot on it are among the finest structures of the

kind in the country; built on cast-iron piles, with a double track

running out to the end of the wharf, one on each side, with suffi-

cient water for vessels of fifteen hundred tons burden to lie along-

side to receive or discharge cargo. This road did a heavy business

in peaceful times in bringing down naval stores for shipment to the

Northern States or Europe. On the southern side of the harbor

stands fort Macon, an old work. It fell into the hands of the enemy

when the war broke out, but v/as re-taken in the spring of 1862, by

general Parkes. It is built of earth, but revetted with masonry,

and casemated. It mounts about fifty guns. At this time it was

garrisoned by four companies commanded by a lieutenant of regular

artillery.

The camps were pitched on both sides the railroad, and barring

the general barrenness of the country, the situation was not an un-

pleasant one. It was sandy and healthy. The country is covered

with pine timber, with an occasional opening where a family of poor

whites were making a precarious living. As nothing but sweet

potatoes could be bought, it was concluded this article was the staple

of that part of the Old North State. The horses and transportation

of the regiment had a more eventful ,trip than the men. They were

left behind at sailing, and followed in the steamer John Brooks,

which ran aground entering Hatteras inlet, and could not be got ofi'.

A sailing vessel took off her load, and carried it up the Neuse river

to New Berne, whence they arrived at camp by rail on the 7th.

One mule jumped overboard, but was recovered again. Chaplain

Gries, who was at home when the regimSnt sailed, returned by

another route and rejoined us on the 6th. From Fortress Monroe

he went to Norfolk, thence by the Dismal Swamp canal and Curri-


tuck sound to Roanoke island, thence up Albemarle sound to NewBerne, and down by railroad. A few sick men were left behind at

Yorktown, and assistant surgeon Cadwallader was detailed to take

charge of the hospital. He never rejoined us, but was soon after-

ward promoted to fall surgeon of one of the new regiments.

The same uncertainty, as when we sailed, as to our final destina-

tion, still attended us, and madame Rumor sent us to all points on

the coast down to the mouth of the Rio Grande del Norte. Two

points, Wilmington and Charleston, were most in favor. This un-

certainty, if any thing, added interest to the situation.

Soon after we landed, the troops were re-organized. On the 3d of

January I was placed in command of the brigade, and general

Naglee repaired to New Berne to take command of the Department

during the temporary absence of general Foster. On his return he

placed Naglee in command of a division in the 18th corps, of which

general Heckman commanded one brigade and I the other. From

my present brigade three regiments were taken, the 56th, 81st and

98th New York. The two latter, the 9th New Jersey and the 23d

Massachusetts formed Heckman's brigade; while mine consisted of

the 11th Maine, 52d and 104th Pennsylvania, 100th, and Inde-

pendent battalion. New York volunteers. The 56th New York was

transferred to the brigade of colonel Joshua B. Howell.

We remained at Carolina city, waiting to embark, for we didn't

know where, until the 21st of the month. The principal duty done

was that of picket, and there was so little excitement that the ennui

of camp began to be felt pretty severely. To break this monotony

the Glee club of the 104th announced that they would give a mu-

sical entertainment to the officers of the brigade in the depot ware-

house. This annoupcement attracted more attention in the camps

than that of a first-class opera in New York or Philadelphia. The

room was arranged with considerable taste. The stage was formed

by laying boards on pork barrels, while other pork barrels^ in two


tiers on end and covered with shelter tents for drapery, prevented

inquisitive eyes from peeping behind the scenes. Our handsome

garrison flag was draped over the stage. Craclcer boxes placed in

rows, with a broad aisle running through the middle of the room,

were the seats. The brigade band did duty .as orchestra. The

boys laid themselves out in getting up the entertainment. The

programme, consisting of three parts, was made up of choruses,

comic, sentimental and operatic songs, and was concluded with a

comic "After Piece," called "The Barber." The managers were

privates Halback and Tool. The occasion was provided with door-

keepers, ushers, directors, stage managers and the other necessary

et cetera. The large room was nearly filled, and this pleasant eifort

of the enlisted men to amuse and entertain was fully appreciated.

At the conclusion of the performance a collection was taken up for

the performers, which netted twenty-eight dollars.

About the time of our arrival in North Carolina general Ferry

arrived at New Berne, with his brigade, from Suffolk, Virginia.

General Wessel, with his brigade, had re-enforced general Foster in

the early winter, and accompanied him on his expedition to Kinston

and Goldsboro. They were designed to form part of the expedi-

tionary force. It was announced in orders that the troops intended

for the expedition were to embark soon, and mean -yhile the brigade,

regimental and company commanders were putting them in the best

possible condition for the severe service it was expected they would

be called upon to perform.

Naglee's division was the first to embark, Heckman's brigade

leading, mine following. The 104th and 11th regiments having

been assigned the same vessel, the steamer Cahawba, broke camp on

the 21st of January and marched down the railroad to Carolina

city, where they took a tugboat, which carried them out to the

steamer, which could not come into the wharf on account of the

wind. The baggage and camp equipage were put on board and

stowed away in hold before the troops were assigned to quarters.


The high wind made the process of embarkation tedious and dan-

gerous. One man of the Independent battalion fell overboard and

was drowned. Three brigades came down by rail from New Berne,

and as the gale prevented the vessels getting round in time to re-

ceive them, there was a delay of a few days. They were all on

board by the afternoon of the 27th, and the vessels drew out and

anchored in the harbor. The entire force consisted of five brigades

of infantry and one regiment of artillery, numbering in the aggre-

gate about ten thousand men. There were also embarked several

heavy guns and considerable material necessary for siege operations.

Among the troops was the 174th regiment Pennsylvania militia,

mostly composed of drafted men from Bucks county, and which

formed part of Howell's brigade. Ferry's division.

When I assumed command of the brigade on the 3d instant, the

following staff oiEcers were appointed, viz

:

Captain William Kreutzer, 98th New York, acting assistant

adj utant-general.

Lieutenant Daniel T. Kix, 81st New York, and Lieutenant John

McCoy, 104th Pennsylvania, aid-de-camps.

Captain Robert Holmes, U. S. V. commissary of subsistence.

Lieutenant Charles E. Walbridge, 100th N. Y., a. a. q. m.

Lieutenant John P. S. Weidemaul, 52d Pennsylvania, chief of

ambulance corps.

These gentlemen were all present and immediately entered upon

the discharge of their duties except Mr. McCoy, who was absent,

sick. He joined in South Carolina. They all survived the war

but Blr. Rix, who was afterward promoted to a captaincy, and was

killed at the head of his regiment in the campaign of 1864, in

Virginia. He was a most excellent gentleman and gallant officer.

Previously to sailing, general Naglee, who was in immediate com-

mand of all the forces embarked, made his headquarters .on board

the small steamer- Secor, but when we put to sea they were trans-

ferred to the Cahawba. ; On one occasion he invited the field-of&oers


of his division to an excursion down the hay in his little steamer.

The day was pleasant, the company agreeable, and the trip re-

lieved the tedium of ship board. We ran down to the cape Look-

out light, twelve miles, where the company went ashore. The light

house is a circular brick tower one hundred and fifty feet high, fif-

teen in diameter at the base and eight at the top. The enemy

removed the Fresnel, which the government had purchased in Paris,

but left the machinery uninjured.

Our transport was a fine steamer of seventeen hundred tons bur-

den, and was commanded by captain Baker, an experienced seaman.

She ran between New York and New Orleans, and was in the latter

city when the troubles broke out. While lying at the dock she was

seized by a party of Texans, but was released by the governor of

Louisiana. She was chartered by the government to carry troops,

and at the period of which I write she was getting eight hun-

dred dollars per day. She was estimated to carry fifteen hundred

troops, but the eleven hundred now on board filled up all the avail-

able space, consistent with health and convenience. Befoi'e the

troops were put on board she was supplied with thirty thousand ra-

tions, fifteen thousand gallons of water and coal for twenty days.

—

Bunks for three hundred men were put up between decks, and the

balance were quartered on the upper and lower decks. The cabin

was large and afforded accommodation for the officers.

The Cahawba was considered one of the best and safest trans-

ports in the service of the government. The arrangements for

cooking could not be surpassed. Two large copper boilers had been

put up in the forward pantry of capacity to boil eighty gallons of

coffee or cook five hundred pounds of meat at one time. This ena-

bled the troops to be served with rations at regular hours. Every

thing was cooked by steam, by means of a pipe connecting with the

engine boiler. A few minutes sufficed to boil coffee for a regiment.

The cooking, likewise, was done by steam. The meats were boiled

the night before, but the coffee was not put on until daylight. By9 o'clock, a. m., both regiments had been served. The officers


took their meals at the ship's table in the cabin and paid one dollar

a day, transportation being furnished them by the quartermaster's

department. As far as practicable the same daily routine was , ob-

served on ship board as in camp. The calls, by bugle or drum, were

sounded at stated hours from reveille to tattoo. The quarters were

cleaned daily, and the decks sprinkled with fine white sand, under

the superintendence of the surgeon. The men were assembled on

the upper deck every morning. Great care had to be taken to pre-

vent fire, and open lights were never allowed between decks. Water

was served out as a precious article, which it always is on ship-board

at sea, and the greatest care was taken to prevent it being wasted.

The allowance for each man was a gallon a day, but the actual issue,

including coffee, very rarely reached that quantity. The men soon

adapted themselves to the discomforts of the steamer, but neverthe-

less became very tired of their floating camp long before they dis-

embarked.

The fleet put to sea on Thursday the 29th of January, before

the effects of the gale had entirely passed away. The commander

of the troops on board each transport was furnished with sealed in-

structions which were not to be opened until off Wilmington, North

Carolina. In the morning general Naglee transferred his head-

quarters to the Cahawba, which he made the flag-ship of the expe-

dition. The signal to get under weigh was made about noon, and

immediately the transports hove up their anchors and stood down

the harbor. The sailing vessels took the lead, and it was an un-

usually fine sight to see them hoist their sails like birds spreading

their wings, and glide away over the glittering waters. The

steamers followed in the wake of the flag-ship, which passed out

over the bar at 5 p. m., and turned to the southward. When fairly

over the bar I counted thirty vessels in sight, deployed in a semi-

circle of several miles in extent.

When it became dark there was presented one of the most charm-

ing sights I have ever witnessed at sea. Each steamer carried at


the mast-liead a signal lamp ttat she might be distinguished in the

darkness; and the many colored lights thus displayed behind us re-

sembled an illuminated avenue lit up by fairy hands. The motion

of the vessels as they were swayed to and fro by the moving waters

added greatly to the picturesqueness of the scene. This watery

avenue of variegated lights followed us through the night, now and

then a vessel dropping so far astern that the glimmer of her lamp

could hardly be distinguished from the twinkle of the most distant

star. Our course was parallel with, and about twenty miles from,

the coast. In the morning there was only five or six steamers of the

whole fleet in sight, all the sailing vessels having been left far be-

hind in the night. When off the mouth of Cape Fear river, on

which Wilmington is situated, the secret instructions were opened,

and our destination made known for the first time. This was found

to be Hilton Head, on Port Royal bay. South Carolina. It was

then announced that our ultimate destination was Charleston, against

which there was to be a combined attack, by land and sea, as soon

as the preparations were completed. The iron-clads which had

been sent down the coast were for this work. The announcement

of the point to be attacked created considerable enthusiasm among

the men, who appeared anxious to have a hand in capturiiig the

city where the rebellion first broke out. Their subsequent experience

taught them that Charleston was a very hard nut to crack, and

none on board were fortunate enough to be in at the death. Wepassed the Charleston bar the night of the 30th, and heard heavy

firing, which we afterward found proceeded from an attack of the

enemy's iron-clads on our blockading fleet.

When we embarked at Morehead city transportation was refused

for all horses, except those of brigade commanders and their staff

ofiicers, and the wagons. The consequence was, that those of the

104th and the teams were left behind to await the first opportunity

to send them down. They did not rejoin us until some time in

May, while encamped at Beaufort, S. C.


While we lay in the harbor of Beaufort, North Carolina, general

Naglee issued an order for the formation of a battalion of sharp-

shooters in my brigade, each regiment to furnish two commissioned

officers, twelve sergeants and corporals, and fifty privates. The

officers detailed from the 104th, for this duty, were captain Groff,

and lieutenant Hibbs. The enlisted men selected were the most

trusty in the regiment. The battalion was placed in charge of

lieutenant colonel Hoyt, 52nd regiment.

12


CHAPTER XIV.

Anchor in Port Royal.—The Uai-bor.—Blockaders off Charleston attacked.—Hilton Head.

—

Steam up to Beaufort.—Negro troops.—We land.—Take in coal and water.—Beaufort.

—

"When abandoned.—Our destination now known.—Return to Port Royal.—We land on

St. Helena island.—Go into camp.—Trouble among the generals.—Naglee relieved.

—

Officers take leave of him.—Negroes conscripted.

WE dropped anchor in the harbor of Port Royal on the morning

of the 31st of January. As we stood in, we passed the

monitor iron-clad Passaic, in tow of a gunboat, going down to War-

saw sound to assist the monitor Montauk in her attack on a rebel

battery.

It is not a matter of wonder that the first discoverers of this port

and harbor were so struck with its magnificent proportions that

they named it Port Royal; for in the eye of the mariner it is royal

in every sense of the word. It is one of the finest harbors in the

world, and the best on the southern Atlantic coast. The bar has a

depth of water to float the largest vessel; while inside there opens

a broad estuary, with capacity to contain the navies of the world,

with a good anchorage. Two rivers, the Broad and Beaufort, pour

down through it a large volume of fresh water to the sea, and fur-

nish navigable highways a short distance into the interior. There

are two headlands at the entrance which the enemy had strongly

fortified at the opening of the rebellion—one on Hilton Head island,

PENNSYLVANIA REGIIIENT. 179

called fort Walker, and the other across the harbor at Bay point,

called fort Beauregard. They were strong earthworks, and mounted

with heavy guns. In the fall of 1861, admiral Dupont made a

brilliant attack on the forts, with the fleet under his command,

which resulted in their capture and securing the possession of the

harbor and the neighboring islands. The manner in which the ad-

miral handled his ships gained great applause. The harbor was

made the naval station for the South Atlantic Blockading Squadron,

and was so continued to the close of the war. On this bay should

have been built the commercial metropolis of the South, and it is

cause of astonishment that its advantages have never been appre-

ciated. A city may yet spring up somewhere on these waters that

will absorb both Charleston and Savannah. The island of Saint

Helena affords an admirable site for a great mart.

Soon after we dropped anchor, general Naglee went ashore to re-

port our arrival to general Hunter, as regulations require. General

Foster had not yet arrived, but was expected shortly. Mean while

we could but await his coming. On our arrival, we learned the

occasion of the firing we heard the night before, as we passed

Charleston bar. It was caused by an attack made by a rebel iron-

clad on our blockading fleet under cover of the darkness and fog.

She was first discovered near the Mercedita, which she ran into

with her ram, breaking two holes through the planking near the

stern, one on each side, at the same time discharging her heavy

guns into her. The captain struck his colors and surrendered; the

crew was paroled, but the enemy had no time to secure the gunboat.

The monster then made for the Keystone State, which had been

alarmed by the firing, and was better prepared to receive her. Quite

a severe fight took place between them. The iron-clad was able to

approach very near before she was discovered, when she fired on

the gunboat, nearly every shot taking efleet. The latter fired nine-

teen shots in reply, which were heard to strike the armour of the

ram with a loud, ringing noise. The approach of a sloop-of-war

180 ONE H0NDRED AND FOUBTH

caused the ram to Laul oflf, otherwise the gunboat would have met

the fate of the Mercedita.

The day of our arrival the Keystone State came down to Port

Royal and anchored within a short distance of the Cahawba. In

company with general Naglee I went on board to note the damage

she had received in the encounter. She had been badly handled.

Thirteen shot and shell went into, or through her, killing and

wounding forty-two of the officers and crew. Some of the shot had

been very destructive. One, after entering the side of the ship and

passing through some of the heaviest deck timbers, passed through

both boilers and let all the steam escape, which scalded a number

of the crew. At this time the surgeon, with the assistance of the

hospital steward, was amputating the limb of a sailor. They were

all scalded to death. Several men were killed while asleep in their

hammocks. The bursting shells had torn up considerable of the

planking of the lower deck, and the beams and coiling were spat-

tered with blood and brains. One solid shot, for better employ-

ment, went into the armory, where it made almost as wild work as

a bull in a crockery shop.

Hilton Head is the name of a coast island, the extreme eastern

point of which is a headland that juts into the sea. The sino-je

house that stood on this headland before the war belonged to the

Drayton family; the owner commanded the fort erected on it, while

a brother commanded a vessel in the attacking squadron of admiral

Dupont. "VViien this point was made the headquarters of the De-

partment, as well as the naval station of the blockading squadron, a

large number of buildings to contain stores and materials for the

army and navy was erected, which gave it the appearance of quite

a considerable village. A long pier and wharf were built out into

the harbor, alongside of which the largest ships could lie and dis-

charge their cargoes. For convenience in repairing naval vessels

a machine shop was erected on Skull creek, that separates Bay point

from Saint Helena island, across the harbor from the Head. Two


old whalers were moored to the shore, and fitted up with such ma-

chinery as was found necessary to repair iron and wooden vessels,

where a large number of workmen were kept employed. All the

injuries received by the monitors during the protracted siege of

Charleston were repaired here. Otherwise it would have been ne-

cessary to have taken them to a northern navy yard, which could

only have been done at much trouble and expense, with the risk of

losing them at sea. The constant presence of more or less men-of-

war in the harbor, and a number of troop-ships, and vessels trans-

porting supplies, gave the waters an animated and lively appearance.

The morning of our arrival a valuable prize to one of our blockading

squadron off Savannah was brought in and anchored near us. She

was an English screw steamer, called the Princess Royal. She had

been fitted out as a regular blockade-runner. She was laden with

gunpowder and other munitions of war, besides three' propellers and

armor for iron-clads, and machinery for steel-pointing shot. She

was a valuable prize, and her freight would have been most welcome

to the rebel navy department.

Our steamer, the Cahawba, remained anchored in Port Royal

harbor until Mcmday afternoon. On Sunday evening I received

an order to steam up to Beaufort, ten miles from the Head,,, to take

in a supply of coal and water. We did not leave until late the

next day, and reached Reaufojt about sundown. The river flows

among islands, on the left.washing Lady's and Saint Helena. Wepassed but few buildings, and saw ^ittle evidence of cultivation. Afew miles below Beaufort we passed the camp of the 1st South

Carolina volunteers, a negro regiment being organized by colonel

Thomas W. Higginson, under the auspices of general Saxton.

These African defenders of our national honor were lounging about

camp and shore, clad in their blue dress coats and scarlet

breeches. Our men gazed at them with strange interest, as it was

the first time they had ever seen negroes equipped as soldiers.

This sight carried me back to an earlier period in the history of

182 ONE HUNDKED AND FOURTH

the war, when arming the negroes to make soldiers of them dared

not be talked aVout aloud. The first official person connected

with the administration of the government who broached this

policy was the honorable Simon Cameron, then Secretary of War,

but neither the cabinet nor President at that time dared avow it pub-

licly. One evening, the last of December, 1861, or the beginning

of January, 1862, I was a guest at the house of colonel Forney, in

Washington city, on the occasion of a complimentary supper to

George D. Prentice, editor of the Louisville Journal. At the sup-

per table, in response to a toast, Mr. Cameron made a few remarks,

in which he took ground in favor of arming the negro and putting

them into the field as soldiers. This idea, at that time, met with

no favor, and there is no better way to judge of this than the fact

that the reporter was requested not to mention it in his notice of

the occasion. In what was said in the newspapers about the enter-

tainment, there was not a word in reference to the Secretary's pro-

ject of arming the negroes. I have a distinct recollection of the

effect it had upon the company. It produced a chilling sensa-

tion upen the festive scene, and was received with a feeling akin

to disgust. _ The mind of the most radical was not prepared for

such a change in our military system. It required some time to

educate them up to this point.

The men were disembarked antefent into camp the nest morn-

ing at the edge of the town, while the, ship was cleared and the

supply of water and coal was ^taken on board. They spent the

time in camp, washing their Rothes and cleaning up generally.

The water was received from a condenser the quartermaster's de-

partment had put up on shore, near the wharf; and no sooner was

the steamer made fast than the hose from the condenser was carried

on board and the water run into the casks. It was condensed from

the salt river water and ran through the hose almost burnin"' hot

to cool in the casks. It was worked by steam, and about five thou-

sand gallons were manufactured every twenty-four hours. It re-

ONE HUNDRED AND FOURTH 183

quired two days and two nights to take in our supply of coal and

water, in which time we had shipped one hundred tons of the

former and twelve thousand,gallons of the latter. The troops were

again taken on hoard Wednesday afternoon, and the next morning

we steamed down to Port Royal harbor and came to anchor abreast

of Saint Helena island.

I found Beaufort a beautiful town even under the adverse cir-

cumstances of war. It was considered the Newport of the South,

and families of wealth resorted to it from the main land of South

Carolina, and from the adjoining States, "to spend the summer

months. It was the seat of elegance, refinement and hospitality.

The town is laid out with regularity; the streets of good width;

generally crossing each other at right angles, and shaded with

magnificent live oaks and other ornamental trees. The houses are

mostly frame, with grounds attached planted with orange and

lemon trees, and flowers and shrubbery which, in their dilapidation,

gave evidence of having been tastily laid out and ornamented.

The "Green," of several acres, was shaded with live oaks that are

venerable enough in appearance to have sheltered the first Euro-

pean who landed there. The town had been but little injured by

mililtary occupation.

The sound of admiral Dupont's guns at Hilton Head gave great

alarm to the inhabitants of Beaufort. Its fall was wholly unexpect-

ed, for they had been ledj;o believe that the forts were impregnable.

Therefore, when they learned they had been taken, they were panic-

stricken, and fled the place in dismay. Their departure was hur-

ried. They did not take time to pack up, but left every thing standing.

The needle-work was found lying on the table where it was thrown

when the alarm first sounded ; dresses) and other articles of wardrobe

in closet and drawer; silver plate and elegant china in the side-

board, and books on their shelves. Every appliance of domestic

and social life was abandoned. The stampede was greater than the

route of an army. They hastened across the island to Port lloyal

184 PENNSYLVANIA REGIMENT.

ferry, where they crossed over to the main land, and were safe for

over three years—until the conquering legions of Sherman came

thundering down from the mountains to the sea, and from hence

through the Carolinas to the late confederate capital. They left

much plunder behind, the most valuable of which fell into the hands

of the troops The negroes commenced the pillage before the army

arrived, and when it landed the victorious heroes were received

by wenches dressed in silks and satins that had adorned the beau-

tiful forms of Carolina's fairest daughters. The plunder was not all

obtained by soldiers, but officers received a fair share. Their con-

duct in this particular was disgraceful, and should have cost the

offending ones their commissions. Some of them sent north pianos,

elegant furniture, silver-ware, books, pictures, &e., to adorn their

New England dwellings. Most of the troops that formed the Du-

pont—Sherman expedition were from that section of the country.

Beaufort was a garrison town the rest of the war, and the point

where the general hospitals of the department were located. It is

said to be one of the healthiest spots on the southern coast. I was

agreeably surprised to meet, at this place, captain Ingham Coryell,

of Lambertville, New Jersey, but now assistant quartermaster, and

an old friend. He was on duty at Hilton Head, bat resided with

his family at Beaufort. The town is situated on Port Royal island,

one of the chain that extends almost the whole distance from Hat-

teras to Key West, and in South Carolina and Georgia produce the

celebrated " Sea Island Cotton," so valuable in commerce.

The victory at Port Royal harbor created great consternation

throughout the neighboring regions of the South, and both Charles-

ton and Savannah were ready to fall into the hands of the victorious

admiral and general. When the news reached the latter city the

inhabitants began to pack up and leave, expecting to hear the sound

of our guns every moment. Savannah would then have fallen with-

out a contest. The two commanders wished to advance against it

but from some unknown cause were refused permission, and time


was given tlie enemy to place that whole coast in a good state of

defense. One of the most powerful fleets we had ever fitted out,

and a well appointed army, were compelled to lie idle in the sand

for months, almost within sight of the enemy which was building

works we assaulted in vain the coming year.

When we arrived at Port Royal I found there was no secret made

of our destination. It was Charleston. It was talked about pul>-

licly by every body, and of course the enemy soon learned all about

it. The iron-clads were already assembling in the harbor, and an

immense amount of war-like stores was being collected. The ad-

miral, or somebody else, that was to play a leading part in the drama,

was not ready, and the promised delay of only a few days when we

arrived was prolonged into seven weeks before the expedition sail-

ed. This necessitated the landing of the troops until the authori-

ties were ready to commence operations. The place selected for

the encampments was the island of Saint Helena, sixteen miles in

length and from one to three in width. The location was exceed-

ingly healthy. The soil is of a light sandy nature, but of a mar-

vellous richness. A singular feature' was the entire absence of

stones. A large portion was covered with pine timber. It is divided

into about eighty plantations averaging some three hundred acres

each when the war began, but the owners fled and left them in

possession of the negroes. I was told that this land will yield as

high as three hundred pounds of cotton per acre, which brought

over two dollars per pound during the war. As was the case on the

other islands, these plantations were in the hands of Uncle Sam,

and through the management of a resident agent the old fellow wa.i

doing his best to become a farmer.

My brigade landed on the 11th of February, after a confinement,

of about four weeks on transports. The steamer was anchored

within half a mile of the shore, and the men went ofi' in a scow and

small boats, and only reached the hard beach after wading some

distance in the mnd and water leg deep. The baggage and stores

l»b PENNSYLVANIA REGIMENT.

were taken ashore in tlie same manner. It was a tedious and labori-

ous operation. "We were all day landing the two regiments and

baggage and stores from the Catawba.

At night the men lay down to sleep beside their arms, which were

stacked in line of battle, being too much fatigued to pitch tents, if

they could have done so. In the morning locations were assigned

the different regiments, which went to work with energy to put

things in shape. The camps were pitched on an old cotton planta-

tion, then well grown up in bushes and scrub oaks. In many places

they formed a dense jungle. But the free use of the axe and grub-

bing hoe soon cleared the ground, and before night the camps were

all up and in tolerable order. The location was healthy and plea-

sant, and close to the shore of the wide-spreading bay. Water was

obtained by digging wells a few feet into the sand, which were tubed

with empty flour barrels to prevent the sand falling into them.

The troops appeared as much delighted to get on shore again as

a flock of eager children to escape from an irksome school. The

camps in order, a drill ground, several acres in extent, and large

enough to manosuvre the whole brigade, was cleared up. The tents

were raised, on a frame work of poles a foot from the ground. After

the camps were pitched, the men devoted a couple of days to washing

their clothes and cleaning arms and equipments, and on Sunday fol-

lowing the surgeons inspected their respective regiments. In the

army one learns to have faith in the saying of Jeremy Taylcfir, that

cleanliness is next to godliness. Down to this time the regiment lost

but two men by death since leaving Gloucester point. Private Geor"-e

W. Marlin, company C, died on board the Gahawba in Port Royal

harbor the Yth of February, and William Maulsbury, company A,

in hospital at Beaufort on the 12th. The regiment was unusually

healthy. The strength was six hundred, and the number reported

on the sick list the first day of February was eleven, and nine on the

last day ,of the month.

Our detachment of the 18th corps which came down from North


Carolina, and was known as tte " Expeditionary Forces," remained

encamped on Saint Helena until the ex,pedition was ready to sail for

the attack on Charleston, the first week .in April. The interven-

ing time was spent in drilling, disciplining and otherwise putting

the troops in the best possible condition for the undertaking.

As though there were not other sufficient causes to delay opera-

tions, the apple of discord was eaten by the generals, and the har-

mony of things broken for a time. The contemplated attack upon

Charleston was arranged in Washington, in December, between

generals Hunter and Foster, with the approbation of the President.

General Foster was to go down early in the new year to Port Eoyal

with as many troops as he could spare from his department, and as

soon after as they could get ready, he and general Hunter were to

make a combined land and naval attack upon Charleston. They

separated without reducing any thing to writing, each one under-

standing that he was to have command of the land forces. Whenthey came to operate together, neither was willing to give up to the

other. General Hunter was the ranking officer, and had the advan-

tage. This, no doubt, was the origin of the difficulty that took

place.

When the expedition sailed from Morehead city, general Foster

was not able to leave, but remained to complete some official busi-

ness in North Carolina. General Naglee was in the immediate

command of the forces brought down. We had not been long en-

camped on the island when general Hunter issued an order incor-

porating Foster's 18th Army corps troops with the 10th corps and

breaking up our distinctive organization. At the same time our

transportation, which embraced nearly all that belonged to the de-

partment of North Carolina, was ordered to be turned over to the

chief quartermaster at Hilton Head. Naglee, who was always ready

for a fight, with pen or sword, took Up the cudgels for his absent

chief, and mush time was consumed in correspondence that had bet-

ter been spent in forwarding the expedition. The fight waxed ex-


ceedingly warm, and both parties appealed to headquarters. Naglee

got a little the start of Hunter. His messenger took the steamer for

Morehead city and thence.by rail to New Berne, where he reported

to general Foster, who hastened to Washington city. He was not

willing that the flower of his troops should be turned over to an-

other commander. Assistant adjutant-general Townsend was sent

down to Hilton Head to arrange the matter between the conflicting

generals. The result was, that the order of general Hunter was

revoked, and our forces were permitted to remain part of the

18th corps.

This was a triumph for Foster and Naglee, and so it was con-

sidered on all sides. In the mean time the good feeling between the

two corps had not been improved by general Hunter, who placed

the staff' officers of general Foster under arrest, and subsequently

ordered them to leave the department. The old sore was re-opened

at a later period, when a spicy correspondence took pkce between

Naglee and Hunter, which resulted in the former being sent to

New York, with orders to report from there to the adjutant-general

of the army. This is a sample of the quarrels which interfered

with the efficacy of the army during the war. In this case the ser-

vice lost one of its most gallant officers, without cause. He was

the life and soul of the expedition, active and energetic, and had the

entire confidence of the troops. On the contrary, general Hunter

was disliked, and neither officers nor men had the least confidence

in his abilities.

This shabby treatment of general Naglee incensed his command

to a high degree, but there was no outward expression given to

their feelings. On the eve of the general's departure his com-

mand paid him the respect due to him. He sailed on the 11th of

March. On the morning of the 9th the commissioned officers of

the old brigade he commanded on the Peninsula waited on him in

a body, accompanied by the band. He received them on the

steamer at the wharf, where he quartered. An address was pre-


seated him, expressing confidence in his gallantry and patriotism,

regrettiDg his departure, and tendering him the personal and pro-

fessional respects of the officers and men. He replied in eloquent

terms. The occasion was enlivened by several patriotic tunes by

the band. That afternoon the oiEcers of Heckman's brigade paid

their respects to him, and in the evening he was serenaded by the

fine band and glee club of the 10th Connecticut. The next morn-

ing the officers of Ferry's division called on him and paid their re-

spects. General Ferry, the next in rank, was placed in command

of the troops.

On the 2d of March the 104th was thoroughly inspected by

captain Lambert, an officer of the English army, but now serving

on the staff of general Hunter, as acting inspector general. Nothing

escaped his attention, not even a bottle of "B" that stood in the

tent of the regimental commander. His report was highly com-

plimentary. Soon after we landed on the island some of the New

England troops committed an unwarrantable assault on the negro

families living near their camps. Their shanties were burned down

and the inmates much abused. On the 6th of March general Hun-

ter issued an order conscripting all the negroes in the department,

between the ages of eighteen and fifty years, into the military ser-

vice, except such as were already in the employ of the government,

and the servants of officers. This raised quite an excitement among

the contraband population of the islands, who did not understand

that the gift of freedom carried with it the condition of military

service. At this time two negro regiments were being raised

in the department, Montgomery's and Bennett's, and the order was

the means of recruiting a few hundred men for them.

Occasionally we heard from the two monitor batteries, Montauk

and Passaic, which had been down in the Ogechee several weeks,

and of late had tried their hand against fort McAlister, a strong

earth work. In the duel between them and the fort their power

of resistance was demonstrated to be nearly perfect, as the enemy's


projectiles made no visible impression upon them beyond slight in-

dentations in their armor. The Montauk was hit seventy times

On board the Passaic the crew sat down to their meals under heavy

fire, a disregard for shot and shell hitherto unknown in naval war-

fare. A shell exploded on the deck of one of them and made a

cup-like indentation, in which a piece of the projectile remained

and spun round several minutes by the force of its own momentum.

At the same time the iron clads were watching the steamer Nash-

ville, a famous blockade runner, which was loaded with cotton and

ready to put to sea. One dark night she attempted to run out the

Savannah river, when the Montauk fired a fifteen-inch shell into

her, which blew her up. She went down with all her cargo on

board. The object of the iron-clads in attacking fort McAlister

was more to try their batteries than any expectation of re-

ducing it.

The preparations for the sailing of the expedition progressed but

slowly. From time to time a new iron-clad made its appearance in

the harbor until they numbered eight, besides the Ironsides, which

we found there on our arrival. The latter had gone up to the

Charleston bar to strengthen the blockade immediately after the

rebel ram had attacked our wooden vessels. To accustom the troops

to land with facility from the transports, they were practised in it

for two weeks in the harbor, each regiment taking its turn. They

disembarked from steamers in surf-boats and landed upon the

island. In smooth water the operation was not a diflScult one; but

when the wind was strong and a heavy swell came into the harbor

and broke upon the beach, it was both difficult and dangerous.

Upon two occasions general Hunter reviewed the troops encamped

on Saint Helena, the first time in February and then again in

March. The command turned out in fine order, and both looked

and manoeuvred well. The 10th corps was encamped on the

neighboring islands or occupying forts down the coast. While we

lay there I believe there was but one attack from the enemy


within the department. About tte 20tli of March a small party-

attacked the signal station on Hilton Head island, capturing the

officer and some of the guard. Toward the close of the month sut-

ler Jenks returned to the regiment, and re-opened his establish-

ment in camp after an absence of nearly three months.

192 ONE HUNDRED AND POURTD

CHAPTER XV.

Religious reviTal in regiment.—Baptism.—Kegiment paid.—Amount of mouey sent home.

—

I.icutenaDt McCoy returned.—Deaths and discharges.—E.xpedition to Charleston organ-

ized.—Troops embark and sail.—Place of rendezvous.—Troops laud on Folly Island.

—

Iron-clads attaclc Sumter.—They retire.—Injury done them.—E-xpodition returns.—Sail

to Beaufort.—Poetry ou the iron-clads.

ONE of the most interesting events that took place while we re-

mained on Saint Helena island was the religious revival in the

regiment, in March. It had been the practice with the chaplain to

hold daily religious exercises for the benefit of those who saw pro-

per to attend. After we landed on the island the number of his

hearers increased, and a new interest appeared to be awakened. The

first person baptized was private Benjamin S. Bennett, company

K, on the 15th instant. The following Sunday there vrere nine

more baptized, three of whom were from the 52d regiment. The

congregation this morning was unusually large and the services in-

teresting, the brigade band being present and playing church music.

A chancel was improvised near regimental headquarters, while a

drum, covered with' one of the battle-torn flags, answered the

purpose of a communion table. The Lord's Supper was adminis-

tered to twenty-two communicants, all privates but one. The meet-

ings were well attended through the coming week, and the interest

was still on the increase. Several additional candidates for baptism

were announced for the next Sunday, the 29th, but the weather was

so stormy that the meeting could not be held in the morning, and


was postponed until evening. It was still wet and unpleasant, but

the attendance was very large. The congregation numbered at

least six hundred soldiers, from all the adjoining camps. There

were likewise several officers present. After an appropriate discourse

eighteen candidates came forward and received the rites of baptism,

and thirteen others were baptized on profession before they entered

the service. The effect was beneficial ; it lessened the packs of

cards in daily use and reduced the number of oaths.

About this time the regiment was paid for the months of Novem-

ber, December, January and February. The 104th never took ad-

vantage of the allotment system established by act of Congress, and

only to a limited extent made use of Adam's express in sending

money home. As a general thing the chaplain was the fiaancia

agent of the men, and carried home and distributed their money to

their families. He deposited the money in the Philadelphia, Head-

ing and Doylestown banks, on which he drew checks in favor of

the parties to receive it. These were given to the soldiers to be

forwarded by letter, and by the time they arrived the chaplain had

placed the money in bank to be drawn against. The system was a

convenient one, worked well, and to my knowledge there was never

a dollar's loss. The chaplain provided the blank checks and re-

venue stamps, and the men paid him enough to cover these expenses.

The 'amount sent home on this occasion by the regiment was 125,-

819, distributed among the companies as follows: company A,

81,836; B, $2,844;' C, 13,321; D, |2,620; E, 12,844; F, |2,848;

G, $2,046; H, $1,996; I, 11,585; K, 12,557, and the field and

staff, $1,730. A portion of this amount was sent by express

and letter. The men averaged nearly $40 each, a very creditable

remittance. "We were abundantly supplied with good rations while

on Saint Helena—fresh beef three days in every ten, and nice fresh

bread was received daily from the government bakery at Beaufort.

Andrew Enders, of company E, had been detailed as one of the

bakers there. After the regiment was paid off the members of

13


company G did a most commendable act. One of their number,

John A. Daniels, lost an arm at Fair Oaks which, in a great mea-

sure, disabled him from labor. The company, learning that his

family was in a destitute condition, raised thirty-eight dollars for

them, which outside friends increased to forty-four. After an ab-

sence of three months lieutenant McCoy rejoined the regiment on

the 30th of March. His absence was caused by sickness. Several

enlisted men returned about the same time, having been absent from

sickness or other cause. Among these was James Dungan, company

C, who refused a discharge tendered him in the hospital at York-

town, believing there was yet a little more service in him for the

country. He was afterwards discharged during the siege of

Charleston.

The regiment maintained its healthy condition at this period.

—

During the month of March the average number on the sick list,

per diem, was a fraction over twelve, which is a very good showing

in an aggregate of 548. In point of health no regiment in the de-

partment was equal to it. On the 18th Clement C. Whipple, ser-

geant major, was discharged because of disability, and sergeant

Julius B. Tyson, of company C, was appointed in his stead. After

the March payment the members of companies C and K, presented

their respective captains with a handsome sash and sword, as

a token of their good will and esteem. Since the regiment first

arrived in South Carolina, now only two months, the commanding

officer had received notification of the death and discharge of forty-

one men. "With few exceptions they occurred at a distance, and

seventeen of the number took place at Davis's island hospital. NewYork.

As the month of JIarch wore away there were indications that the

time was not distant when the long expected expedition would sail.

On« by one the iron-clads quietly left the harbor and proceeded to

Stono inlet where the naval force, as well as a portion of the land

forces, was to rendezvous. On the 23rd, the 100th regiment was de-


tached from my brigade and sent up to take possession of Cole's

island, at the mouth of-Stono river. This was done to make the

place of rendezvous secure. On the 30th inst., general Hunter

issued a confidential circular to the respective commanders, which

designated the troops for the expedition and their organization.

They consisted of three divisions of infantry, a brigade of artillery,

a light battery and a battalion of engineers. The whole numbered

over sixteen thousand men. An immense quantity of material of

all kinds had been provided to be taken along. All the naval ves-

sels that could be spared from the blockade and other duty were to

take part in the enterprise, although the iron-clads were principally

relied upon to batter Sumter's walls about the enemy's ears.

The troops embarked in the order they were named in the circu-

lar, which made our division^ Heckman's, the last to go on board.

On the morning of April 3rd, I was ordered to cook four days'

rations for my^ command, and be prepared to embark at a moment's

notice. In the afternoon the vessels were designated on which we

were to embark, viz : steamer Cahawba, for the 104th, 11th, and

Provost guard ; barque Milton, for the 52nd, and the propeller,

George C. Collins, for the Independent battalion. Our strength

was 1980. The steam propeller United States was designated as

the flag ship of the division. A signal officer was assigned to the

head quarters of each brigade commander, and lieutenant Pierce,

5th Massachusetts, reported to me for duty. We coi*aenced em-

barking that evening, and the Independent battalion was on board

before midnight. The balance of the brigade embarked the next

day. By evening the whole division was on board, and the vessels

hauled oufand anchored in the stream. Ten days' rations in bulk

were put on each vessel. I received sealed orders at dark from a

staff officer, but there was no necessity for this pretended secrecy,

for the destination of the expedition was well known to every body.

The division was ordered to sail for North Edisto, where the troops

were to remain on board the transports and await further orders.


The vessels were to keep together, but ia case of separation, each

one was to steer for the place of rendezvous. The latter part of

March general Stephenson had been sent up to the North Edisto

with the 24th Massachusetts, 10th Connecticut and 56th New York,

which landed on Seabrook's island, and secured the bridge which

leads across to John's island. The time fixed for the sailing of

Heckman's division was 7 o'clock on the morning of the 5th of

April.

The proposed attack on Charleston had been well advertised. No

expedition of the war had been more talked and written about, in

advance. Editors and newspaper correspondents had done their

best to give publicity to all the arrangements, and if the enemy did

not have full knowledge of what was going on, it was not their fault.

The number of iron-clads, with the caliber of their guns, and the

number and size of the wooden war vessels, were as accurately set

forth as though the records of the department had been inspected

with this object in view. The whole thing was made public in the

most approved American manner. Of course the enemy knew just

what they had to expect, and during the month we were preparing

for the attack, they had been laboring to strengthen their position.

We sailed the morning of the 5th as soon after daylight as the

anchors could be hove up, following the lead of the flag ship, with

the union jack at the fore, the signal to get under weigh. The

bark Milton was taken in tow by the propeller City of Bath. Wemade the Edisto bar at 1 o'clock, and run in on a flood tide and

anchored before sundown. On the way up we passed the Erricsoa

having in tow two torpedo catchers, familiarly called " devils,"

intended to be fastened to the bows of the Monitors to prevent them

being blown up by the torpedoes, which it was -feared the enemy

might send down against them. In the harbor we found a number

of vessels, principally loaded with siipplies, and a few sutler schoon-

ers. There were also two gun boats and as many mortar schooners

for the protection of the transports. All the other transports, iron-


clad and gun boats tad gone to the mouth, of Stono inlet, where the

final preparations for the attack were to be made.

The harbor of Edisto is about twenty miles from Charleston, by

land, and is where the British army landed to attack that city in

the Revolutionary war. The neighboring islands contain valuable

plantations, and in plain view were several handsome dwellings,

long since deserted by the inhabitants. Brookville, about two miles

distant, had the appearance of a pretty village, with large buildings

and well-kept shrubbery. Cole's island, where the 100th New York

regiment had landed two weeks before, and where they had thrown

up some slight defences, was situated at the confluence of the Stono

and Folly rivers ; and was separated from James' island by a marsh,

traversed by a causeway. This position was taken up because it

was necessary to hold it to secure the harbor of Stono, and Folly

island, in case the latter should be made the base for operations

against Charleston. Captain Payne, heretofore mentioned in this

volume, made several reconnoissances among the neighboring islands

and gained much valuable information.

On the evening of the 5th colonel Howell's brigade, consisting of

the 1-OOth New York, 85th Pennsylvania, 39th Illinois, and the

62d Ohio, was landed on the south end of Folly. Under cover of

the darkness the troops felt their way up the island, with skirmishers

in front, through jungle and bushes almost thick enough to stop the

passage of a rabbit. Three regiments halted at the point where the

lookout was afterward erected, but the 100th New York went for-

ward to the head of the island, then covered with a dense thicket.

Not an enemy was to be seen. These troops were joined in a day

or two by the 67th Ohio, but none others were disembarked during

the present operations.

Mean while the preparations for attack having' been completed

on board the iron-clad fleet at the Stono, the vessels ran out, each

one being towed by a wooden gunboat. The New Ironsides was

then on the blockade and joined the monitors off Charleston bar.


Iq poiat of strength this was the mightiest Armada the sea had

ever borne upon its surface, and these few mailed ships could have

vanquished in combat the proudest wooden navy the world had ever

seen. They crossed the bar on Monday, and anchored safely in-

side. Tuesday forenoon the iron-clads ran in and opened the bom-

bardment, the wooden gunboats keeping out of reach of the enemy's

shot. The Ironsides anchored at the distance of a thousand

yards from Sumter, but the monitors within about six hundred

yards. The enemy was fully prepared, and replied immediately.

The firing, while it lasted, was of the most terrific kind, probably

never equalled in the annals of naval warfare. The iron-clads had

to stand a concentrated fire from forts Sumter, Moultrie, Gregg,

Johnson and Bee, and every other battery that could bring a gun

to bear. The rim of the harbor was literally bristling with cannon.

The shot and shell fairly made the water foam and boil around these

pigmy vessels. They stood this hammering about two hours, when,

being signalled to withdraw, they retired to their anchorage below.

The damage done to the iron-clads, except the Keokuk, was not

serious. The latter was pierced through and through, both in hull

and turret, by steel-pointed bolts, and sunk at her anchorage abreast

of Morris island the next morning. The vessels fired about a hun-

dred shots, most of them at Sumter. The fire from Moultrie was

the severest. In going in, one of the iron-clads struck a torpedo,

which did no damage. They were principally damaged in the smoke-

stacks, which were riddled like a sieve. The turrets were struck a

number of times, and indentations left in the iron plating about the

size and depth of an ordinary saucer. A few bolts were started,

and heads knocked off which wounded a few of the men. The break-

ing of the bolts is said to have been caused by their being screwed

up too tightly.

There has been considerable speculation as to the amount of

damage done to Sumter during the bombardment. Some of the

naval officers are confident they saw large breaches ia the walls


which was confirmed by rebel deserters who came in a day or two

afterward. Captain Eddy, of the 47th New York, was captured

in Ossabaw sound a few days before, and at the time was a prisoner

in Charleston jail. He formerly resided there, and had many friends

in the city. They told him that a breach was made in the wall that

a horse and wagon could be driven through. He saw six hundred

bushels of lime coming down the railroad as he was on his way up

to Columbia, which he was told was to be used to repair the damage

done to the fort. He was also told by a leading secesssionist of

Charleston, that the artillerists in the fort mutinied during the bom-

bardment, and that soldiers from the Charleston battalion stood oyer

them with fixed bayonets to make them work their guns. His in-

formant was a gentleman of respectability, and the captain believes

he told the truth. The enemy denied this; but whether true or

false, can now be easily determined by an inspection of the fort it-

self. That it wag very severely handled we have evidence from

themselves. On the 26th of April, nineteen days after the bom-

bardment; one F. H. Harleston, who was on duty in Sumter at the

time, wrote a letter to lieutenant James Thurston, of the rebel ma-

rine corps, stationed at Savannah. It was cut from a newspaper

found on board the ram Atlanta after her capture. He says

:

"There was no breach made in the fort at all. Two of their

shots—a fifteen inch shell and an eleven inch shot, did come through,

but they hit in weak places. The greatest penetration in good

sound masonry was three feet ; but then every thing around was

cracked and started more or less. The most severe blow, I think,

was about three or four feet below the crest of the parapet, where

two or three balls struck, and just loosened every thing clear through

for a space of about six feet in length."

I was told by captain Rogers, executive ofiicer of admiral Du-

pont, that when the iron-elads were signalled to retire it was not

the admiral's intention to abandon the attack. He intended to re-

new it in the morning. It had become too late to attempt to run

200 ONE HUNDEED AND FOTJETH

the rebel forts and batteries that night, which he contemplated

doing the next day. He and the admiral stood on the deck of the

Ironsides as the iron-cladti came down, and inquired of each one

the amount of damage she had sustained. The Keokuk answered

that she had been riddled through and through-^the 15 inch gun

of one was disabled—^the rifle gun of another was injured, and the

turret of a third would not revolve. This condition of things in-

duced him to abandon the contest. The vessels might have run

past the batteries but for the obstructions, but in this event would

have been in a worse situation than before. Captain Rogers re-

marked that an attempt had been made to take Charleston by ma-

chinery, but it would be found that it could only be taken in the

old-fashioned way, by a regular siege.

The withdrawal of the fleet from before Sumter was an abandon-

ment of the famous attack which had been noised through the

world for months. General Hunter would not permit the land

forces to make a combined attack with the fleet. The army did not

strike a blow or fire a shot. General Seymour, chief, of artillery

on Hunter's staff, was very anxious to make a night assault upon

Morris island, which then was almost without fortifications and

defenceless. His general plan was the same as that adopted and

carried out in July by Gillmore. Under cover of darkness batteries

were to be erected within less than a mile of Sumter. The time

fixed upon was the night of the day the iron-clads made the attack.

The troops were selected and organized and the consent of the com-

manding-general only was wanting to put it into operation. WhenSeymour went to consult general Hunter on the subject, he thought

the attempt too hazardous, and it had to be abandoned much to the

regret and disgust of the gallant projector of it. This attack must

have succeeded, and it would have expedited the siege operations

that afterward took place, by three months.

Heckman's division remained on the transports at Edisto, morti-

fied that they had to remain inactive so far away from the scene


of the real operations. Of the bombardment we knew nothing

at the time, except that occasionally we heard the sound of a heavy

gun. On AVednesday evening a steamer arrived from oif Charles-

ton with an unsatisfactory account of it, but sufficient was known

to determine the entire failure of the attack. The admirers of

Hunter endeavored to fix the responsibility of the failure upon ad-

miral Dupont, but in this they signally failed in face of the well-

known facts of the case. He was charged with not co-operating

with the army. The truth is the navy did all the fighting that was

done, and the army did not lose a drop of blood in its bastard at-

tempt on Charleston. The fifteen thousand well-disciplined troops

sailed up and then sailed down again. The good old admiral risked

all in the attack, and because he could not accomplish an impossi-

bility he was relieved of his command. He did all the fighting

that was done in that fleet.

The present operations were now entirely abandoned, and the fleet

and army withdrawn, except the ordinary blockading vessels, and

four regiments left on Folly island to keep watch and ward. The

troops were generally distributed to their old stations. My brigade

was sent to Beaufort, where it arrived and encamped on the 11th.

All the North Carolina troops were retained in the department ex-

cept Heckman's brigade, which was returned to New Berne, on an

urgent request for re-enforcements. Our going to Beaufort was

caused by a stampede the military authorities of that place got into on

account of the rebels burning the armed steamer Washington. She

had attempted to run round Port Royal island and got aground,

when the enemy brought a light battery down within shelling dis-

tance, and burned her. This created so much alarm at the post that

another brigade, in addition to the four regiments, and two bat-

teries already stationed there, was required to quiet their fears.

After the bombardment of Sumter a wag, said to be an officer of

the United States artillery, in a desire to hit off the Navy depart-

ment, and the management of Uncle Gideon, Fox, Stimer & Co.,


perpetrated the following, -which will be understood, if not appre-

ciated, by officers of the navy generally. They are published as part

of the history of the times, and not because they contain any intrinsic

merit.

"BRAY-MORE," OR THE WELLES-IAD.

AN EPIC IN TWO BOTTLES,

A long way after Ralph "Waldo Emerson's "Brahma."

Lines from a manuscript picked up in

A Green-sealed Bottle,

OflFEdisto Bar, South Carolina, May 14th, 1863.

(Bottle the Fiest.)

If the Torpedoer's torpedes

Knock the Torpedoed high in air,

Won't Uncle Gideon, as he reads,

Look solemn through his silvery hair t

Vague or forgot the navy seems

To Gideon, slumbrous in the dark,

Stroking his beard in happy dreams,

Or studying plans from Noah's ark. '

Vainly we labor hard and long

To paint the errors of the ships,

Entranced by Stimer's syren song,

Gid's judgment lieth in eclipse.

Rifles and smooth bores are the same,

He cares not for a turret jammed:

—

Prompt to avert from Fox all blame,

He muttereth mildly—"That be— rammed."

The strong men of the navy pine.

But pines not Stimer, and the crew

Of those who, (in the contract line,)

Proclaim "what iron-clads can do !"

PENNSYVANIA REGIMENT. 203

We hoist our bottoms from the sea,

To show why slow and wild we steered,

—

Coated with polyps dull as he,

And grasses lengthy as his heard;

—

But this in him no terror breeds,

He muttereth:—"Spite of all the shocks,

Of stoi-ms, and battles, and torpedes

I must protect my darling Fox."

Though foul their bottoms as the heart

Of Toucy or Fernando Wood,—Though plates are cracked and staucheons start

And every pilot-house runs blood ;

—

Although the pendent gi-asses drop

On rooks a dozen fathoms down;

—

Though polyp and though oyster crop

Be large enough to feed a town ;

—

Though turrets jam and won't reTolve,

Though guns kick oif the track within,—

•

It still is Gideon's grim resolTe

On Stimer's word his faith to pin:

—

"And woe to him who, on his cuflf

Weareth gold lace, or round his cap.

If, by expostulations rough.

He waketh Gideon from his nap !

Thus Gideon muttered, half awake,

Thinking the iron-clads a bore,—

•

Then turning, a fresh snooze to take,

Fox, entering, heard the Great Man snore!

E Pluribus Unum.

A Blue Jacket.


Bottle the Second.

Picked up on Seabrook Island, same day.

Ctorus by the American People.

We would that to your anchors tied

Wells were dropped down your wells—

' Od rot him !

Or that his beard were tangled tight

In the long grasses on your bottom !

We wish that Fox,—who comes of those-

With fire-brands swinging to their brushes,

—

Had found his long and last repose

In the cold tide that 'neath you rushes

!

We wish that Stlmer,—who aspires

And doesn't mind to stick at trifles,

—

Were used as fuel to your fires

Or blown from out your heaviest rifles

!

"And last, we hope you'll not be slack,

(Now here's the moral of the ditty)

—

Try Charleston in a new attack.

And sow with salt that cursed city !"

Them's my sentiments.

A Blue Belly.

The 104:th was encamped on the village green at Beaufort, with

shade and water convenient. It was a most delightful location.

Soon after our arrival the regiment lost two of its officers, lieu-

tenants Carver and Markley, who were given commissions, at their

request, in the negro regiment hoing raised at that place by colonel

Montgomery, of Kansas fame. The inducement was an increase of

rank, both being made captains. A few weeks later captain W.

W. Marple, of company C, was appointed lieutenant-colonel, and

sergeant Ryan and corporal Perry, of that company, were made

lieutenants in the same regiment. In the following October private


Elliott was disoharged by order of the Secretary of War, to enable

him to accept the appointment of sergeant-major in that organiza-

tion. He was subsequently advanced to a lieutenancy.

The surgeon's report for April exhibited the same favorable sani-

tary condition of the regiment—the number daily excused from duty

on account of sickness being only a fraction over two per cent.

The smallest number on the sick list being one on the 12th, and

the highest being twenty-two on the 3d instant. What troops can

show a cleaner bill of health ?

The beginning of May twenty-seven enlisted men were allowed

to go home on furlough, under a recent act of Congress, which per-

mitted five per cent, of the enlisted men to be furloughed at a time

as "a reward of merit for good conduct in the line of duty." Mar-

ried men were given the preference in the 104th. As there was

not likely to be much doing for a few weeks, lieutenants Artman,

Fretz, Oadwallader, Scarborough and Myers were granted leave of

absence for thirty days, at the same time.


CHAPTER XVI.

The 104th at Beaufort.—The oamp.—(rideonites.—The Prcedmen.—Fortifieatjons built.

—

Montgomery's expedition.—Negro Praise Meeting.—Rebel ram Atlanta taken.—Visit to

her.—Company A detached.—Attend a pic-nic.—In command of Post.—Pennsylvania

militia go to Hilton Head.—Case of captain Schadd.—Iloapitala at Beaufort.—Mr.^. Lan-

der.—Two regiments detached.

THE regiment was never more comfortable than while at Beau-

fort. As already mentioned, the camp was on the village

green, and within a hundred yards of the river bank. The location

was delightful and healthy. New tents were drawn soon after our

arrival. They were raised a foot from the ground on a framework

of poles to escape the dampness, and allow a free circulation of air

under them. Each one contained two double bunks, to accommo-

date four men, and was provided with mosquito nets to keep away

this troublesome insect. The men took great pains to ornament the

camp and make it attractive, and they succeeded admirably. Over

each row of tents an arbor was built to shield them from the sun.

The edges of the company streets were sodded, which gave a re-

freshing green border on either side, and in front of the tents.

Some companies erected a neat railing along the street, and laid

brick walks up to the tent-door. Others enclosed a little yard in

front of their respective tents, to separate their domain from their

neighbors, and planted it with wild flowers, which they watered and


watched over with tender care. A number of cages suspended

through the camp contained mocking-birds and other feathered

songsters, which enlivened the scene with music, and claimed the

attention of the men in their idle moments. During the day the

walls of the tents were looped up throughout the whole encamp-

mentj which, with shade, ornamentation, music of birds, and evi-

dence of comfort on every side, presented really a charming picture.

No phase of a soldier's life could be more inviting. The neatness

and taste displayed exhibited a sense of refinement that is highly

creditable to the regiment.

Beaufort was the headquarters of the humanitarian side of the

war, for the department of the South. It was the centre of the

operations of the "Freedmen's Society," an institution organized in

.New England for the ostensible purpose of ameliorating the condi-

tion of the negroes. Schools were established on all the islands

within our lines, where Yankee school marms taught the young

African idea how to shoot. While the men fought the master,

the women tried to civilize the slave, and with but indifferent suc-

cess. The institution brought a considerable number of civilians to

the department, and the "wrinkled front of grim-visaged war" was

smoothed by the presence of female society. The laborers in this

vineyard were known as Gideonites. whose head and front was the

Rev. Mr. French, who found that war paid him better than peace.

He was a sort of king among the Grids, and had great influence at

headquarters. Several of the female teachers deserted the band of

Gideon for the arms of a husband, but their places were quickly

filled by new candidates for the double honors of matrimony and

philanthropy. General Saston was nominally at the head of the

organization, and sported the high-sounding title of civil and mili-

tary governor of South Carolina. In spite of this "father," French

was the moving spirit, and the negroes looked up to him as a second

Moses. The deserted plantations were given to the Gideonitesf


black and white, to work, whicli arrangement turned out more to

the advantage of the latter than the former.

In the town the negroes were crowded together without regard to

cleanliness, and hut for stringent police regulations would have wal-

lowed in their filth month in and month out. While it appeared evi-

dent that the greater part of the people who came into South Carolina

to look after the interests of the poor negroes were but serving their

own selfish ends, there were a few most estimable persons who only

labored to improve the temporal and spiritual condition of the blacks.

They were as easily distinguished from the other class, as goats are

known from sheep. The real philanthropists did not make money

by the operation; did not deal in furniture, pictures or souvenirs

that belonged to the late inhabitants, nor persuade simple-minded

darkies to give them pieces of old family plate on the pretence that

it was a contribution to the Lord. They simply gave their time

and their services to endeavor to make the negro wiser, better and

happier. The negroes were petted and made much of, and the doc-

trine of social equality between the races was openly taught by

theory and practice. The mentioning of two incidents will show

the fruit this doctrine was bringing forth. A white man, who had

formerly been a soldier in a Pennsylvania regiment, made love to a

likely young negro wench in Beaufort, and married her with the

approbation of the authorities. The knot was tied in the African

church in presence of a large crowd of negroes and Gideonites, who

smiled their approbation of the act. The lieutenant-colonel of the

1st South Carolina Volunteers, a white man, did not hesitate to

walk about publicly with a black woman. Neither this circum-

stance, nor that of a white man marrying a negress, appeared to

provoke any comment, as they were rather expected to follow the

teachings of Gideon's band.

Although not engaged in active operations in the field the brigade,

by no means, was permitted to enjoy a season of repose. The en-

gineers, before our arrival, had laid out extensive work to command


the approach to the town on the side of the Port Royal ferry, which

were only partially completed. My brigade was called on at once

for details to cairy on the work, and for a considerable time it fur-

nished four hundred men daily, and that during some of the hottest

weather of the season. Exposure to the heat while working in the

sand, or other cause, brought on ophthalmia, which broke out in the

regiment in June. There was a number of cases, but I believe it

was entirely confined to those who had been prisoners of war the

year before. The returned prisoners of war were mustered on the

10th of June for their commutation of rations while in the hands of

the enemy. Of the whole number captured only fifty answered to

their names, the other seventeen having died in captivity, died

since their return, or been discharged. They were allowed corn-

mutation for one hundred and eight days. Jeremiah Matlack,

company I, returned that very day, in time to be mustered. He

was captured the 1st of July, 1862, between White Oak swamp

and Malvern hill, and had been so long absent that his name had

been dropped from the roll of his company.

The 1st of June colonel Montgomery, with his negro regiment, made

a raid up the Cumbahee river on to the main land to get recruits.

They embarked on two armed steamboats at Beaufort. So far as

recruiting was concerned the expedition was quite a success. He

brought back some eight hundred darkies of all ages and conditions,

and of both sexes, about one hundred of whom were put into the

regiment. They appeared to be much better fitted to hoe cotton

than carry a musket. When they marched through the streets

from the wharf they had more the appearance of walking rag-bags

than human beings. There may be a difference between stealing

negroes from their home on the Congo, in Africa, to hoe cotton and

cane and stealing them from the Cumbahee in South Carolina,

to compel them to perform an involuntary and disliked service, but

many people are not able to see that difference.;

Considerable damage was done to the enemy, but the good effect

14


of the raid was marred by wanton pillage. Some cotton and riee

were destroyed, and several rice mills burned. They did not stop

here. They burned thirty-four private dwellings, without a shadow

of excuse. The families, mostly women and children, were sum-

marily turned out of doors, and their homes destroyed before their

eyes. Colonel Montgomery told the negroes that the country would

belong to them after the war, and as they would have no use for

the large houses they might burn them, but must not injure the

cabins. What license to give to a parcel of half-civilized negroes !

The operation was a disgrace to our arms. How often they were

disgraced during the war by men higher in rank than colonel Mont-

gomery, and the acts applauded instead of being censured and the

guilty officer dismissed the service ! War is bad enough even when

its known rules are rigidly observed. »

While stationed at Beaufort I was invited to go into the country

to witness a negro praise meeting and wedding, on a warm Sunday

morning in June. A ride of a few miles brought us to the place

—

a plantation that belonged to a clergyman of the name of Walker,

who fled the island on the approach of our army. It was now occu-

pied and worked by a Mr. Heacock from Montgomery county, Penn-

sylvania. The dwelling was an ordinary-looking frame, and the

surroundings exhibited none of the thrift that we look for about

northern dwellings. Several ladies and gentlemen were assembled,

some from adjoining plantations and others from town. The reli-

gious services were held in the cotton house, conducted by a Mr.

Conant, an ex-officer of a Maine regiment. They were simple and

adapted to the capacity of the black hearers. A chapter was read

in the Bible, followed by a few words of comment—^then two or

three prayers by negroes, hymns sung and the exercises were con-

cluded. The congregation entered into the worship with great

earnestness. Then the marriage took place. The bride was a plan-

tation girl, and the groom a soldier of Montgomery's regiment. He

PENNSYLVAMA REGIMENT. 211

appeared much confused, and had some trouble disentangling his

hands so as to give the right one to the bride.

The room was now cleared for the praise meeting, in which

church-members only participate. They formed themselves in a

circle around the room, all standing. Three men, seated on a

bench at one side, now commenced a chant which increased in vo-

lume as they proceeded, when the worshippers began to move

around the room, keeping hold of hands. They kept time to the

music with their bodies and limbs and repeated the words of the

refrain. Sometimes they moved backward—sometimes forward,

and sometimes sideways, all the while wriggling and twisting their

bodies into many attitudes, shuffling their feet to time, and beating

the cadence with their hands. The music of the" chant was wild,

melancholy, and monotonous, but not entirely devoid of harmony.

Sometimes the voices would swell into a loud and full chorus, then

sink again almost to a whisper ; but at no time did they reach the

shouting pitch. The leader of the three singers changed the words

and the tune at pleasure, apparently impromptu and without me-

thod. His hands were kept in lively motion and his actions re-

minded one of a darkie beating Juba. At one time the refrain had

some application to boating, when the negroes as they swept round

the room in measured cadence worked the arms as though pulling

at the oar. The dances of some of our western Indian tribes is not

unlike what I witnessed. It was evidently a heathen ceremony

handed down from their African ancestors, somewhat modified by

their Christian training. We now adjourned to the mansion where

Mr. Heacock and his sisters had prepared refreshments for their

guests. After dinner we had a pleasant chat in the shade of the

piazza until the sun on the dial marked the hour of 4 o'clock, when

lieutenant-colonel Hart and myself mounted our horses and rode

back to Beaufort.

On the 17th of June we were cheered by the intelligence that

the rebel ram Atlanta had been captured by one of our Monitors


off the moutli of Savannah river. Two of them had been watch-

ing her to prevent her coming out and running a muck along the

coast among our blockading fleet. It is said that the captain noti-

fied his crew the day before that it was his intention to go out and

hook on to one of the Yankee vessels and tow her up to the city.

—

This morning he came out to put his threat into execution, followed

at a safe distance by two steamboats loaded with citizens, who

desired to see the sport. He did nothing in the hooking on and tow-

ing up business. The ram had hardly got out the mouth of the

river, when the Weehawken let fly a fifteen inch shell which car-

ried away the pilot house and killed the pilot. This disconcerted

the crew, but nevertheless she opened her ports and returned the

fire. The contest was a short one, for at the eighteenth shot the

Atlanta struck her flag and surrendered. She was really a fornii

dable vessel, with a crew of one hundred and sixty-three men, and

carried four heavy Brooke's guns. She had one man killed and

sixteen wounded. One shot from the Weehawken, which struck

her on the side, produced such a shock that forty persons were

knocked prostrate. She was originally the iron steamer Fingal,

built on the river Clyde, Scotland, but was converted into a ram at

Savannah, at the expense of the ladies of Georgia. She turned

out to be a magnificent failure when pitted against a Monitor. The

two steamers with their passengers who had come down to witness

a Confederate victory must have returned up the river very much

chagrined. She was brought to Port Eoyal harbor the next day,

and the officers and crew were transferred to the receiving ship

Vermont. I went on board and examined her. She was in a most

filthy condition, but not much damaged. She was afterwards pur-

chased by the United States, refitted and put into the navy.

Lieutenant Bitting with fifteen men was sent over to Saint He-

lenaville, ten miles from Beaufort, on Saint Helena island, about

the middle of the month. It was a point where persons could easily

cross over from the main, and it was made his especial business


to see that there was no forbidden intercourse between the mainland

and the island. About the same time company A was sent to a

plantation, a few miles in the interior of the island of Port Koyal,

to relieve a company of the 55th Pennsylvania. Numerous small

posts of this kind had to be maintained to stop contraband trade

and prevent spies coming over from the enemy. It could not be pre-

vented entirely, and we knew full well that all our movements were

made known to him almost as soon as contemplated. It was al-

ways believed that most of the contraband information was carried

by negroes. They were allowed to enter our lines any where, and

_ knowing the whole labyrinth of water courses that surrounds the

islands, it was an easy matter for them to slip back, in a canoe, unseen.

The young ladies living at one of the Barnwell plantations, a few

miles from Beaufort, gave a pic-nic to their friends one fine summer

afternoon, where I was invited to be a guest and help enjoy the

fun. The spot was delightful. The dwelling was situated far

within the embrace of the pine wood, and near one of the numer-

ous wat«r courses that divide the islands. Around it was the finest

grove of venerable live oaks that I have ever seen. The place se-

lected for dancing was under a natural arbor formed by the inter-

vening branches overhead. It seemed to me more than passing

strange that a man could be willing to relinquish such a home as

this and join his fortunes to a rebellion against his government and

country. Such men must have been earnest in their course and be-

lieved themselves in the right.

Upon two occasions I was placed in command of the post of

Beaufort, which I retained until ordered to take part in the attack

upon Charleston. At one time the garrison numbered six thousand

men, infantry, cavalry and artillery. General Saxton was in com-

mand when general Gillmore came to the department, but he relin-

quished it on the ground that he outranked the former, and there-

fore declined a command under him. I relieved him at his own

request. During this period, the 54th Massachusetts, colonel Shaw,


the first regiment of negroes that came South, reported to me.

—

They remained but a few days, when they accompanied colonel

Montgomery on an expedition to Amelia island, Georgia. The time

of the two Pennsylvania militia regiments was about expiring, and

they were ordered down to Hilton Head, preparatory to being sent

North to be mustered out of service. They had been manning the

batteries in the defences of the post, and when they left their places

were supplied by the 104th. Companies C and H, under captain

W. W. Marple, were placed in battery Taylor, and company B, cap-

tain Kephart, in battery Brayton. The changes that were taking

place in the garrison made necessary a new detail for provost guard,

which was taken from the 104th, and placed in the command of

lieutenant Duncan. The religious revival which had marked the

stay of the regiment on the island of Saint Helena was not renewed

to any considerable extent while we remained at Beaufort. The

chaplain held his usual meetings for preaching and prayer, and a

few members were added to his little flock. Six men were baptized''

from the regiment and one from the 52d. Besides his meetings in

camp, Mr. Gries frequently preached in the Episcopal church,

and nearly every Sabbath held service in one or another of the hos-

pitals. About this period the resignation of captain Heany and

lieutenants Artman, Haney, Croll, Yardley and Ashenfelter was ac-

cepted. Mr. Yardley, who had not rejoined us since he was taken

sick on the Peninsula, was appointed provost marshal of the 5th

Pennsylvania district, and Blr. Artman, while home on leave, applied

for and was appointed a deputy under him. Doctors Brush and

McAlear, two new assistant surgeons, joined us for duty at Beau-

fort. One was appointed to fill the vacancy caused by the promo-

tion of assistant surgeon Cadwallader, and the other was appointed

under a late act of Congress, which authorized an additional assist-

ant to each regiment.

While I was in command of the post of Beaufort a somewhat

peculiar cage came before me, and which is mentioned merely to


show how subordinates are sometimes treated by their superiors.

—

In a regiment of Pennsylvania volunteer militia was a quiet, clever

gentleman, who bore a captain's commission. As an officer he was

attentive to his duties, and possessed as much military knowledge

as was expected under the circumstances. Late in the winter his

colonel got up a petition, which most of the officers of the regiment

were induced to sign, asting general Hunter to dismiss the cap-

tain from the service, on the broad and not well defined charge of

disloyalty. It was taken to the general, who thereupon, without

any examination into the merits of the case, issued an order dis-

charging him dishonorably, subject to the approval of the Presi-

dent. Thus disgraced he went home. Instead of pocketing the

injury he went straightway to President Lincoln and laid his case

before him. Without any hesitation the President restored to him

his commission and directed him to report to general Hunter.

About the 1st of June he arrived at Hilton Head and reported

to Hunter, who ordered him to go back to his regiment at Beau-

fort and report to the commanding officer of it. He did so. He

stated the orders under which he returned, but the colonel de-

clined to receive him and ordered him out of camp. He left and

took refuge in the camp of the 174th regiment Pennsylvania mili-

tia. In a day or two his colonel sent an armed party over into the

camp of the 174th, and by force arrested him, had him taken to the

camp of his own regiment and placed in close confinement in a tent,

with a sentinel at the door. When this was done general Saxton

was post commander, but there was no authority from him which

gave any sanction to this unwarrantable conduct.

When the matter was brought to my notice, as post commander,

the captain had already been in confinement seven days. To get a

full knowledge of the case I had both parties brought before me,

and on their statement and the orders of the President and general

Hunter, I ordered the captain to be released, and restored him to


duty witli Ills regiment. It appeared like a case that had merit in

it. The only defence the colonel made was that the captain did

not show him the written orders on which he returned, but he ad-

mitted that they were told to him. The captain was released on

Saturday. The next morning the colonel went down to Hilton

Head and made such statement to general Hunter as induced him

to direct me to arrest the captain again and send him down to head-

quarters under guard. The order was covered by a sharp letter

from adjutant general Smith, in which 1 was censured for my action

in the premises. The unfortunate captain was re-arrested and sent

down to general Hunter, accompanied by my own views of the case

in reply. He was kept there two or three weeks and then restored

to duty. It was a case of great hardship, and there was not a sha-

dow of excuse for the treatment the captain received, unless malevo-

lence and spite can excuse a bad act. This same colonel was one

of those intensely loyal ofiScers who was charged with making it his

business to tamper with the mails that came to his regiment, and

before newspapers were delivered to his officers and men, he satisfied

himself that they contained such reading matter as would not dam-

age their patriotism.

It has been mentioned elsewhere in these pages that Beaufort

was the seat of the general hospitals of the department. Thev were

several in number, and were maintained in as good order as any that

could be found in the service. Skilful surgeons had charge of

them, and the men were not only provided with the best nursing,

but all other things necessary to their comfort. In some there was

one or more female nurses. At one time Mrs. Lander, widow of the

general of that name, who died in service in the winter of 1862, had

charge of the corps of female nurses in the department. It was

found, however, that male and female did not work in harmony in

the wards of a military hospital, and after a time the whole ma-

nagement of the sick and wounded was left to the care of the sur-


geons and their male attendants. While at Beaufort two regiments

had been detached from my brigade and sent elsewhere,—the 11th

Maine, transferred to Fernandina, in Florida, and the Independent

battalion sent to Saint Helena's island, where it was incorporated

into a command organizina; there.


CHAPTER XVII.

Operations on Folly island begua.—Eattories erected.—General GiUmore arrives.—He visits

the island.—Ilis plan of campaign.—Batteries erected against Morris island.—Colonel

Higginson's expedition.—We land on Folly island.—A ride round the island.—Assigned

to Terry's division,—We land on James island.—A night alarm.—March up the island-

—The enemy reported.—A reconnoissaoce to the front.

INtbe mean time matters had cot come to a etand-still on Folly

island and vicinity. Operations against Charleston from that

quarter had not been entirely abandoned. A force was still main-

tained there, so that the island could be used for this purpose, should

it be deemed advisable. The five regiments named as having been

left there when the attack was abandoned in April were still kept

there, togethej with the one on Cole's island and Stephenson's bri-

gade on Seabrook. This latter force distracted, somewhat, the'''at-

tention of the enemy, who believed the attack, if any should be

made, would come from this quarter. The force on Folly was in-

creased by detachments of the 1 st New York volunteer engineers

] st United States, 3d Rhode Island, and 3d New York artillery.

The command was given to general Vogdes.

Folly island is about seven miles long, and not over one wide in

its broadest part. On the west it is separated from the marshes

that stretch across to James island by the Folly river, a narrow but

deep stream. The eastern side is washed by the Atlantic Ocean.


Light-house inlet, about six hundred yards wide, separates it from

Morris island. At this time, throughout nearly its whole extent,

the island was covered with pine timber and impenetrable tangled

under-brush. The jungles of India cannot be much more dense.

I have never seen such a mass of briers and thorns any where else.

There was not a road of any description, and the only way to pass

from one end of the island to the other, was along the beach, which

was not always practicable at high tides.

G-eneral Vogdes immediately set the troops to work to cut roads.

The principal one traversed the dense interior from north to south,

while other lateral roads ran across it, thus aflbrding convenient and

secret communication between its different parts. The island was

thoroughly picketed in all directions. At the head overlooking the

inlet and the adjacent shores of Morris island from the jungle they

occupied, was a picket of ten men, under the immediate command

of colonel Dandy, 100th New York. This party was increased by

a detail from the marine artillery, with two Wiard guns. On the

night of the 10th of April, a party of sixty men of the South Caro-

lina artillery, under lieutenant-colonel Durgan, came through the

marshes in boats and made an attack on this picket, mortally wound-

ing one man and capturing another. It was a surprise. They re-

tired almost immediately, and without discovering the two guns,

which they might have taken.

At the south end of the island a strong battery was constructed,

which commanded the approach down Stono river. A mile and a

half above, at the Campbell house, on the Folly river, another bat-

tery was erected, whose guns pointed in the direction of Secession-

ville on James island. At Pawnee landing, a small redoubt for

two light pieces was thrown up to command the approach by a

creek that emptied into Folly river near there. A mile from the

head of the island, where it is not more than two hundred and fifty

yards wide, a strong intrenchment was thrown up across the neck,

with a redoubt at each end.


This was the situation of things when general Gillmore, the new

department commander, arrived. He reached Hilton Head the

12th of June, in the steamer Ben Deford, and immediately super-

seded general Hunter. There was great rejoicing at the change in

commanders. We parted with one who was notoriously incompe-

tent, a martinet without ability to excuse it. He was entirely void

of feeling toward the enemy. In his stead we got a young, active

man, a soldier of talent, and confessedly one of the best engineers

in the service. We expected that his coming meant work, which

we found to be the case. General Gillmore knew that we had re-

tained a footing on Folly island since the attempt in April, and he

hardly waited to have the command turned over to him, before he

went up there to take a look at the situation of affairs. He tra-

versed the island from one end to the other, and from the jungle at

the north end he looked across to the sand hills of Morris. Hesaw every thing with the practised eye of a skilful engineer, and

at a glance he decided where ho would erect his batteries, and the

use he would make of them. From where he stood Sumter was

plainly in view, looming up, and no doubt he then doomed it to de-

struction, and foreshadowed it the heap of dust and mortar it after-

ward became.

His plan of campaign was immediately marked out. He deter-

mined to approach Charleston on the side of Folly and Morris islands,

and took immediate steps to have operations begun. He gave or-

ders to have strong batteries erected on the north end of Folly, un-

der the thunder of whose guns he would throw his battalions across

the inlet of the sea and seize the opposite sand hills. His inten-

tions were communicated to general Vogdes, who was kept in com-

mand, with instructions to have the batteries erected. He asked

Gillmore his opinion of the batteries he had already erected at the

south end, feeling proud of them himself, to which the engineer re-

plied that they were all very well and very nice, but were on the

wrong end of the island. In the erection of the new batteries on


the head of the island, two important things were to be achieved

—

to construct formidable works within a few hundred yards of a

watchful enemy, and to conceal it entirely from his knowledge. It

was a difficult task to accomplish. One additional regiment, the

4th New Hampshire, was sent up to assist in the labor.

Work was commenced on the batteries the 15th of June. On

the night of that day a thousand men, as guards and laborers, were

sent up to the head of the island and began operations. Under the

cover of the thick bushes and timber the work was continued day and

night, the men being relieved from time to time. The enemy had a

high tower at Seoessionville, which enabled him to overlook the land

and water for miles around, and the greatest care had to be used

to prevent our works being discovered. Every thing that was

needed in the erection of batteries was taken to the front at night,

and neither men, teams nor material were permitted to pass up in

day time. Part of the time the work was performed under heavy

fire from the enemy's batteries on Morris island, which killed and

wounded several men. While they had no knowledge of what we

were at, it was suspected, and they opened fire on the head of the

island to drive us away if we were doing any mischief there. No

reply was made on our part, which probably disarmed suspicion.

It was deemed of the first importance to secure the construction of

the batteries. The official report states that at least two thousand

rounds were fired, and no doubt our silence gave the enemy the

impression that he had driven us from the island. The fire was

continued through several days and nights, but. the work went

steadily on without interruption. About this time the English

steamer Ruby, in an attempt to run the blockade, ran on shore on

the bar that makes in opposite the head of the island. While the

enemy was securing the cargo, his batteries opened a heavy fire to

prevent our interfering, but although a sore temptation our fellows

made no attempt.

By the 3d of July the batteries were essentially completed and


ready for use. In the period of twenty days there were placed in

position twelve 10 inch and four 8 inch mortars; twelve 30 pounder,

four 20 pounder and ten 10 pounder rifled Parrott's; and three 12

pounder Wiard guns, mating in all forty-four guns and mortars.

The batteries were all well embrazured and revetted, with magazines

and splinter-proofs; and each gun and mortar was supplied with

two hundred rounds of ammunition. So well had all our move-

ments been concealed from the enemy, that down to the time of

our opening fire he had not the slightest idea of the existence of

our batteries. The engineering work was done under the immediate

supervision of lieutenants Suter and Blichie, by the New York

volunteer engineers, while captain Mordecai, of the ordnance de-

partment, superintended mounting the guns and supplying them

with ammunition. Colonel Dandy, 100th New York, was in com-

mand of the north end of the island while the works were being

erected. When we consider the importance of these works, and

the secrecy, dispatch, and circumstances under which they were

erected, they reflect great credit on the parties engaged. During

this period captain Payne, 100th New York, assisted by corporal

Yocum, 62d Ohio, rendered very valuable services in collecting in-

formation as to the enemy's position, strength, &c. In a light boat

they traversed the numerous creeks that run through the marshes,

and even ventured into the immediate neighborhood of Sumter.

Mean while we remained in garrison at Beaufort, pursuing the

dull routine of life that prevails at a post. We were waiting for

Gillmore's batteries to open on the enemy, and hoping that some of

us at least might have a hand in the active operations that were

about to be inaugurated around Charleston. About the last of

June general Gillmore and his chief of stafi" made a visit to Beau-

fort to inquire into the condition of things there. His inquiry was

particularly directed to the number of troops that could be spared

from the garrison to assist in the operations against Morris island.

He was furnished with the desired iiiformation. During the inter-


view I made a formal request to be permitted to take an active part

in the campaign about to open, in command of the brigade I had

brought into the department. He gave me a promise that my wishes

in the matter should be complied with, and a few days afterward

I received a letter from colonel Turner, his chief of staff, saying

that general Grillmore would send me orders shortly to embark for

Folly island, and that as many of my old regiments would be re-

turned to me, and as soon, as the service would permit.

As auxiliary to the attack on Morris island from the head of

Folly, colonel Higginson, commanding the 1st South Carolina vo-

lunteers, negroes, planned and organized an expedition to destroy

the bridge of the Savannah and Charleston railroad that crosses

the Pon Pon river. The plan was to run up that stream from the

South Edisto in armed steamers, land at a practicable point and by

a short march attack thajbridge, which had a small guard, and burn

it before re-enforcements could arrive. The colonel had received

considerable information about the situation of affairs in that region

of country through contrabands which had been sent up there as

spies. The plan appeared entirely practicable, and was submitted

to general Gillmore. He approved and sanctioned it, leaving all

the details to colonel Higginson. If successful, it would be of great

service to the contemplated operations, and would in almost equal

degree damage the enemy. The attempt was to be made about the

time our batteries opened on Morris island, and if he succeeded in

burning the bridge, it would prevent the enemy sending re-enforce-

ments up to Charleston in time to be of service to him. His force

consisted of about three hundred men, all negroes, and two guns

belonging to captain Rockwell's Connecticut battery, and were con-

veyed in two armed steamboats. The attempt was made at the ap-

pointed time, but failed, with the loss of the two guns and a few

men killed and wounded. There is no doubt that information had

been conveyed to the enemy, for he was prepared to receive the


boats with artillery on the bank of the river and on the causeways

leading down to it.

On Sunday night the 5th of July, I received an order to em-

bark the next morning for Folly island with the 52d and the 104th

regiments and report to general Seymour, in command. We were

to move in light marching order, with ten days' rations and 100

rounds of reserved ammunition per man. The tents and heavy bag-

gage were directed to be left behind in charge of a few men. Some

general instructions were given about the disposition that should

be made of the troops remaining at Beaufort to secure the safety

of the island, and I was directed to turn the command over to the

next in rank. General Saxton, however, had signified his willing-

ness to accept the responsibilities of the post again, and according-

ly the command was surrendered into his hands. The orders to

move were embodied in a confidential note ftom colonel Turner. An

order was immediately issued to the troops to hold themselves in

readiness to embark at an early hour the morning of the 6th instant.

The detached companies, some of them a considerable distance from

town, were directed to report to their regiment at daylight. Anarrangement had been made to have the troops paid on Monday,

but an order from headquarters postponed all payments for the pre-

sent; yet special permission was afterward given to pay the regi-

ments before they embarked, in case it caused no delay. The pay-

master was on the ground at sunrise the next morning, and by eight

o'clock the work was completed. The 104th received pay for four

months, down to the 30th of June, and permission was obtained

for chaplaiQ Gries to take the money home to the families of the

men. He accompanied us to the Stono, whence he took the steamer

for the North. General Gillmore was concentrating all the dis-

posable force in the department on Folly island as rapidly as pos-

sible.

Transports, the steamers Boston and Delaware, arrived at Beau-

fort early on Monday morning, and the embarkation of the troops

PENNSYLVANIA REGIMENT. ' 225

commenced immediately. I was instructed to start at such time as

would enable the boats to reach the Stono, disembark the regiments,

and put to sea again before daylight. All the troops and materials

that were landed were put on shore under cover of the darkness to

conceal our movements from the enemy. We left the wharf at 3

o'clock, p. m., and ran up without accident, and before it was light

enough for the enemy to distinguish what was going on, the men were

ashore concealed by the bushes, and the steamers on their return to

Port Eoyal. We marched three or four miles up the eastern beach

and encamped among the sand hills, where the bushes were yearly

thick enough to strip the hide from a rabbit. The stores and bag-

gage were hauled up during the day. In obedience to orders I

reported to general Seymour, who was quartered in the Campbell

house on the opposite side of the island. About noon colonel Dan-

dy called at my quarters, and politely offered to escort me over

the island to show and explain the general situation of things. I

accepted the invitation and accompanied him, although suffering

from a burning fever. The ride was one of interest and gave me a,

good knowledge of tbe island and the defences. All the troops

were encamped or bivouacked under shelter and cover of the tim-

ber and bushes which completely hid them from view. The works

at the north end were of a very formidable character, and gave evi-

dence of great labor. The gunners were ready at any moment to

open on the enemy across the narrow inlet that separated the two

combatants.

The 10th of July was fixed upon to open the campaign, by which

time it was hoped all things would be in complete readiness. Gen-

eral Gillmore had determined to send a column to James' island,

separated from Morris by two or three miles of marsh, and lying to

the west of it, to make a demonstration on Charleston by way of

Secessionville in conjunction with his attack on the South end of

Morris island. This latter was to be the real point of attack,

while the former was intended to be only a feint. This was made

15


openly in tlie hope of drawing off part of the garrison from Morris

island. This expedition was placed under command of brigadier

general Alfred H. Terry, afterward distinguished as the captor of

fort Fisher. My brigade was to compose part of this column. The

balance of the troops was the brigade of general Stephenson, to

come up from North Edisto, and the 2nd South Carolina and the

54th Massachusetts, both negro regiments, under the command of

colonel Montgomery. The whole column consisted of.but seven regi-

ments, and could not have numbered three thousand effective men.

General Terry came to my quarters on the afternoon of the 8tli

and exhibited the order assigning me to his command, and at the

same time directed me to leave camp at 8 o'clock that evening, and

march down to the south end of Folly, to embark for James' island.

We were to go up the Stono river in steam boats under convoy of

several gun boats. We reached the wharf about 11 o'clock, and

found that none of the rest of the command had arrived, which

compelled us to remain there all night. A gale was blowing, with

some rain, and as there was no shelter to be had, the situation for

an agreeable night was not very flattering. The troops lay down

to sleep in the sand on the beach, a few favored ones being able to

repose on the baggage that was lying about.

Stephenson and Montgomery arrived about noon on the 9th.

With them came my 56th regiment, which had been stationed at

Seabrook since April. Of the 52nd and 104th there were only

seven companies each to embark, companies A, D and B of the

former, and A, F and C, of the latter, having gone on picket the

day before and were not yet relieved. We embarked that afternoon.

The baggage was left behind in the care of a guard. We were di-

rected to run up the river to what was then known as Stevens' land-

ing, where my command was to go ashore that night and seize andhold the causeway which led down to it. The balance of the

troops were to land in the morning. The sun was pretty well

down when we started, but the day-light lasted until we reached


OUT destination, for it was but two or three miles from the end of

Folly island. Our convoy consisted of one monitor, three wooden

gun boats and a mortar schooner. .As we advanced they shelled

the woods along James' island to drive away any parties of the ene-

my that might be lurking there to oppose our landing.

It was dark when we reached the landing, and the tide was pret-

ty well down. Immediate arrangements were made to go ashore.

This was a slow process, as there were only three boats that could

be used for the purpose. It was disagreeable business; We were

obliged to jump out of the boats into mud a foot deep and wade

through it to the firm ground. Being dark we floundered into

more mud holes than would have been necessary in the day time.

But the officers and men took it in good humor, knowing there was

no royal road to James' island. The first men ashore were thrown

out as pickets on the roads leading down to the landing. The

knapsacks were piled up together with a guard over them, and the

companies were formed as fast as they came ashore.

The troops being all ashore the two regiments were formed for

an advance, the 104th leading. Their eiFeetive strength was less

than six hundred. The night was very dark, the localities entirely

unknown,. and we had not the most remote means of knowing what,

if any, force the enemy had to oppose us. The present object was

to seize and hold the bridge at the head of the causeway, for unless

that was in our possession we could not advance into the interior of

the island. Tlie order to march was given, general Terry placing

himself at the head of the column. We marched along the dyke

built up through the marsh to the bridge, which we reached and

seized without opposition. The column was halted a little way from

it, and remained standing while the bridge was examined. Captain

Groff, with his company, was detailed as pickets and sent across it.

It was not our intention to advance beyond this point until we had

day-light for our operations.

OfepfeMii G-roff, while putting his men on duty, stirred up a rebel


picket, which fired a volley across the bridge toward our column.

It came unexpectedly. The regiments were resting on their arms,

and everything being shrouded in darkness they could not compre-

hend the situation. At the time, I was standing on the bridge with

general Terry, major Eogers and other officers, discussing the

probability of the enemy being near us. At this moment he let us

hear from him. The bullets whistled very close to the ear and cut

short the conversation, though neither of us was hurt. They fell

among the men, who supposing there was an attack, opened fire in

the direction whence the shot came, and at] least a hundred rifles

were discharged before the firing could be stopped. The shots from

our own men swept across the bridge also, and placed us between

two fires. The reflection that we were in greater danger of being

killed by our own men than by the enemy, was not a pleasant one.

A bridge was never cleared in quicker time. The alarm was quiet-

ed almost as soon as it had arisen, and on examination we found

nobody had been hurt, although two or three claimed to have been

struck. It came near being a stampede. The troops were now

placed in position for the night behind the embankment of the

causeway and opposite the bridge, affording a safe protection to the

men in front, the only direction whence an enemy could come. The

general and staff now returned to the steamer.

The night passed away quietly, and in the morning no enemy was

to be seen. As soon as it was light enough to discern objects I

made arrangements to advance without waiting for orders from

head-quarters. A party of skirmishers, consisting of parts of com-

panies A, C and F, 104th, and captain Davis' company, 52d regi-

ment, the whole under command of captain A. Marple, were sent in

advance to clear the bush of sharpshooters, should any be lurking

therein. The column followed them closely, keeping closed up

and prepared for any emergency. There were a few cavalry pickets

on the watch, who fell back before us and galloped away to give

notice of our approach. Our skirmishers pushed them so closely


tlirougTi the timber that they were obliged to abandon their ready-

cooked breakfast of beef and rice. It had been cooked in an old

iron pot, in which were sticking wooden paddles in lieu of spoons.

The men picked up a few blankets and other articles which the

cavalry ihad left behind in their hasty flight, but were afraid to ap-

propriate the breakfast to satisfy their appetites. Prom the bridge

our route lay through timber for a mile, with a creek on our right,

and on our left was some open country, with the remains of the

camps of the year before. We halted at the old house used for a

signal tower in the former occupation of the island by our troops,

the main body resting in the edge of the timber. Captain

Harvey, with his company, was thrown forward and occupied the

head of the main causeway which leads across the low, marshy

ground toward Secessionville. He was supported by a small force

in reserve, and pickets were stationed to watch the approaches.

The island between t]»ese points and the place of landing was fairly

in our possession.

General Terry landed and came upon the ground about noon.

Just as he arrived word was sent in from the front that a body of

infantry and cavalry was advancing down one of the causeways, ap-

parently to attack us. Considering our force too weak, and our

situation too much exposed to meet any considerable number of the

enemy, I was directed to draw in my pickets and fall back toward

the landing. He turned about and rode back to look after the

troops which had not yet come up. Captain Kreutzer, my adju-

tant-general, remarked to me that the enemy ought to be recon-

noitred before the ground was abandoned, and asked if he might

ride after the general and get his permission to do so. I agreed to

it, and he at once put spurs to his horse and overtook him a few

hundred yards away. The general consented that the two regi-

ments might be taken to the front and a reoonnoissance made. We

marched in the direction of the reported enemy, and when we

reached the causeway found it had been a false alarm. A small


party of cavalry was found at an old house they had used as a sig-

nal station, but they all made their escape and rode for their lines

toward Secessionville. We captured their signal rockets. We now

returned to our bivouaek in the edge of the timber, where we found

the brigades of Stephenson and Montgomery, which had come up

mean while. The 56th New York regiment now reported to me for

duty. My pickets were relieved by the fresh troops.


CHAPTER XVIII.

Attack of Morris heard on James' island.—Our situation.—The enemy attack us and are re-

pulsed.—The gunboat Pawnee.—TJnlooked for support on the right.—Strength of ene-

my.—Determine to withdraw.—Our evacuation.—Keturn to the Stono.—Visit Morris

island.—^Assault on "Wagner.—Situation on Morris island.—Enemy's works.—

"Wagner.

—Gillmore.—Plan of attack on Morris.—Enemy reconnoitre.

AT daylight oa the morning of the 10th of July, the heavy can-

nonade at the head of Polly island announced that Gillmore

had made the anticipated attack on Morris. We listened to the guns

with great satisfaction, and longed to hear the result of the bom-

bardment. Before night we received information that it had been

an entire success, and that our troops were in undisputed possession

of Morris island below the beacon house. The demonstration on

James' island had answered the purpose intended. The enemy was

deceived into the belief that ours was the main attack and with-

drew some of his forces from Morris island to meet itj which so

reduced the supports to their batteries that they fell an easy con-

quest to our troops after they were across the inlet.

Our stay on James' island was undetermined and was to he govern-

ed by circumstances, although the main purpose of our landing had

already been accomplished. As long as we could hold James' and

threaten the enemy's defences at Secessionville, it divided the forces

required to defend fort Wagner and their other batteries on Morris

island. Our stores were landed in the Stono and brought up, and

232 ONE nUNDKED AND FOURTH

other necessary things done to rtiake the troops comfortable and se-

cure while we remained. Our force was encamped in three lines.

Stephenson and Montgomery occupied the open fields, while my

brigade was in the timber at right angles to them and retired be-

hind their right flank. A strong picket line was established about

a mile in front, extending nearly across the island. The gun-boats

mean while had advanced a little way up the Stono, the Pawnee

lying a short distance below Grrimball's house, and just out of reach

of the enemy's battery established there. She lay in a position to pro-

tect our left flank, and sweep the low ground across which an attack-

ing force must march. A vigilant watch was maintained in all direc-

tions, as a considerable body of the enemy could be seen at Secession-

ville. When we left Folly island we had no light artillery with us,

but a steamer was sent down to Beaufort which brought up captain

Rockwell's Connecticut battery, which was landed and came into camp

on the 14th instant. It was afterward found to be of the most es-

sential service to us. The night of the 13th two spies were

seen lurking within our lines to discover the location of our camps,

and this and other causes gave us reason to apprehend an attack.

There was an alarm the next day, but it proved to be a false one.

From Cole's island there was a communication with James' at a

point near our camp, by means of causeways and foot-bridges across

the swamps, but now somewhat broken up. As an uninterrupted

passage by this route might be very useful in time of danger, the

engineers were set to work to repair it and make it practicable for

infantry. It was done by the time we had occasion to use it. Onebridge across the creek that runs along the eastern edge of the

island, and near our camps was flfty feet long and strong enough for

artillery or cavalry.

With the exception of an alarm now and then we were not seri-

ously troubled until daylight the morning of the 16th instant. The

enemy had placed his troops in position during the night of the


15tli, hoping to take us by surprise and overwhelm us by the sud-

denness and strength of his attack. He brought down a light

battery and stationed it within seven hundred yards of the Pawnee,

supported by a considerable body of infantry. It was placed in a

corner of a wood so that it could not be discovered until it opened

fire. This was the right attack. He hoped to be able to crip-

ple the Pawnee, which would enable him with his heavy force

to turn our left and prevent us falling back to the river. On his

left he massed a considerable force of infantry, cavalry and artil-

lery close up to our picket lines.

Our camps were alarmed about the break of day by a heavy can-

nonade on our left, which we soon learned was directed at the Paw-

nee. At the same time there was a sharp rattle of musketry in

front of our right, where the enemy's left came crushing through

our picket line. This was our first intimation of the attack. The

54th Massachusetts, a negro regiment, was on picket, and against

this the enemy hurled his force, which was compelled to give way,

after a brave resistance, falling back to the main body followed by

the enemy. The Pawnee was taken by surprise, and came near

falling a victim. She was aground and could not move until the

rising water lifted her from the mud. For nearly an hour she lay

almost helpless with her broadside to shore, while the battery pour-

ed a terrible fire into her. But when she was able to swing round

and bring her heavy battery to bear on the enemy, she made quick

work of his 6 pounders. She compelled them to leave without

ceremony, followed by the infantry. The Pawnee was struck fifty

times in hull and rigging, but strange to relate she had but one man

killed and three wounded.

While this active work was going on on our left, the column

formed to attack our right was advancing against us. I was sleep-

ing soundly at the foot of a large oak tree, when I was awakened

in the gray of the morning by an orderly from general Terry, who


announced that our pickets had been driven in, and ordering my

brigade to be got under arms immediately. As soon as awake,

the noise of the battery firing into the Pawnee was the first thing

to salute my ears. The whole command was under arms in a very

few minutes, for it does not take old soldiers long to put themselves

in an attitude of defence when their safety depends on their celerity

of movement. The troops were formed in two lines: Stephenson's

brigade and the 54th Massachusetts forming the first, and mine,

with the 2d South Carolina, forming the second. The interval be-

tween the two lines was about a hundred yards. The artillery was

on the right flank of the first line. Both flanks rested on timber

with a few skirmishers in it, and were well protected.

The enemy advanced until within about six hundred yards of our

front line, when he halted, unlimbered the artillery, and opened

fire. He evidently expected to take us bj' surprise and find us

asleep in camp, for the first few rounds from his guns were directed

along and through the strip of timber where our tents were pitched.

In a few minutes the mist lifted and revealed to him our two lines

of infantry and the position of our guns, when the direction of the

fire was clianged. The 104th was on the right of the second line,

and directly in range of the artillery. The shell flew over and

about them in a storm. I ordered the men to lie down flat on the

ground, which was never hugged by a more fraternal embrace, and

thus many lives were saved. Our artillery opened about the same

time as that of the enemy, and for an hour a hot fire was maintained

on both sides, when the enemy, failing to accomplish his object, re-

tired from the field. It took us but a moment to comprehend the

situation of things on our left. How we listened to catch the deep-

toned notes of the Pawnee's guns, and we longed as ansionsly to

hear them as did Wellington wish that night or Bluoher were come.

Presently we heard the voice of a 100-pounder Parrott, the sweetest

sound, to us, that ever struck upon the ear, and we knew the day was


ours. This turn in the tide of affairs is what sent the column that

attacked the right so suddenly from the field.

The enemy met resistance, and we received support, from a source

least expected. The evening before, the armed transport John

Adams came up into the creek on our right, after dark, without the

knowledge of the enemy. Neither did we know that she had ar-

rived. She was armed with a 30 pounder Parrott, and on board

were lieutenant McCoy and commissary sergeant Halback, of the

104th, and a few negro servants who had been left behind on Folly

island. She lay about opposite our right flank. When the firing

commenced in the morning, McCoy and Halback seized rifles and

rushed to the bows of the boat, but seeing nothing within their

range they turned their attention to the 30 pounder Parrott. HaK

back, with the assistance of the negro servants, manned and fired

the gun, while lieutenant McCoy passed up ammunition. They

fired twelve or fifteen rounds into the enemy's left flank, keeping it

up until the battle was oyer. The enemy retired about six, and the

troops were dismissed in time for breakfast.

The enemy numbered about four thousand men, including one

brigade of Jackson's old corps that came down from Richmond after

we landed on the island. There were several regiments of Georgians

and some North Carolinians. Our loss was about fifty, which was

mainly sustained by the 54th Massachusetts, which met the first

shock of the enemy. One of my mounted orderlies, a soldier of the

1st Massachusetts cavalry, was wounded, as well as his horse. The

battery had two horses killed. A man of the 10th Connecticut

complained of not feeling well, and asked to be permitted to go to

the hospital. He received a wound there, of which he died. He

was the only man in the regiment that was injured. The 104th

had no logs. That of the enemy must have been considerable.

Several dead bodies were found on the field ; and we took six prisoners.

A good many arms and accoutrements were left behind when they

retired. In the pocket of a rebel soldier captured afterward on


Morris island, was found a memorandum of the loss in two North

Carolina regiments in this action, which amounted to one hundred

and twenty-five. Ambulances and stretchers came on the field and

bore the enemy's dead away. General Gillmore afterward remarked

in the presence of the writer, that we had punished the enemy much

more severely than we had been aware of His evident intention

was to capture our whole force, and had he turned our left flank,

his superior numbers might have enabled him to accomplish his

purpose.

During the forenoon, and as soon as it was known that we had

had an engagement with the enemy, general Gillmore sent over a

staff officer to confer with general Terry on the most prudent course

to be adopted. The situation was felt to be a critical one. Al-

though we had repulsed the enemy that morning, we had good rea-

son to believe that it would not be long before the attack would be

renewed in greater force than before. Moreover, our mission had

been accomplished, an^ at this time the army had no men to hazard

in operations of either doubtful utility or success. The brigade

commanders concurred in recommending a withdrawal from the

island. During the afternoon an order was received from head-

quarters ordering the troops on James' island to be withdrawn and

return to Folly. As soon as it was dark enough to conceal our ope-

rations, the movement began. To be successful, required both care

and secrecy. The picket line was maintained with the same order

as though wo intended to remain. Steamboats had been directed to

be at the landing at dark, at which time we commenced to haul

down the baggage and stores. It was arranged to withdraw by two

routes. The difficulty of embarking troops on boats on the Stone

was so great that the larger portion of them were to march by the

causeways and bridges across to Cole's island. The engineers had

examined the route and pronounced it practicable for infantry.

Trusted guides were selected from among those who had passed

over the route.


The night was one of the darkest I ever saw, and the rain fell in

unceasing torrents. Every thing combined to render it a period of

gloomy uncertainty. My brigade was required to furnish a regi-

ment for picket that night, and the 52d was detailed for this un-

pleasant duty. It fell to my lot to be field-officer of the day.

Nearly all the baggage had been hauled down to the wharf by one

o'clock, and several of the regiments put en route across the marshes.

At this hour I was ordered to ride to the front and draw in the

pickets. They were in close proximity to the enemy. I was

guided by the vivid flashes of lightning which accompanied the

loud thunder and pouring rain, as I floundered into ditches and rode

through briers and thorns. Several times I stopped, completely

lost, and had to wait for a new lightning flash to direct me on my

course. After considerable difficulty I found the line and ordered

it withdrawn. Lieutenant-colonel Hoyt and major Conyngham

were both on duty with the regiment, whom I found watching with

their men in the bush, wet to the skin. They will call to mind

how, when they came to look for their picket posts, some of them

could not be found, and the men did not know the regiment had

been withdrawn, until daylight informed them that they were alone.

They reached the landing in time to embark with the rear guard.

I was directed to take the causeway route with the 104th, 56th,

10th Connecticut, 54th Massachusetts, and 2d South Carolina.

The 56th was the last to move, and left the island about one

o'clock on* the morning of the 17th. As soon as the bridge that

connected James' island with the causeway was crossed, it was de-

stroyed to prevent pursuit. The march was exceedingly slow, dif-

ficult and unpleasant. The distance is not more than four miles,

yet we were about as many hours traversing it. Except when on

the narrow foot bridges we were most of the time in mud and

water, and often knee deep. Without trusty guides we could never

have followed the route in the night. It led across numerous

water courses, deep, sluggish stri^ms that separate the islands,


spanned by narrow and insecure bridges; passed broad swamps by

dykes and causeways just wide enough for two men to march

abreast, and as slippery as though they had just been smeared with

a fresh coating of soft soap. At times it was impossible for the

men to keep their footing, and a number of them slid off into the

ditches, on either side filled with a filthy mixture of mud and

water. The engineers brought up the rear and destroyed all the

bridges.

This had been an old route to pass from James' island down to

the mouth of the Stone, and with a little labor the engineers made

it answer a very good purpose. "We reached Cole's island a little

after daylight, fatigued, wet and muddy, with all the "pomp and

circumstance" of war completely knocked out of ofiicers and men.

A few such marches take the buckram out of soldiers. DurinsOthe day the balance of our troops arrived down the Stono, with the

baggage and artillery. General Gillmore afterward remarked to

general Terry, while conversing on the subject, that the night of

our withdrawal from James' island was to him the most anxious

one in his military experience.

In the afternoon I accompanied general Terry over to Morris

island to report for orders at headquarters. General Gillmore had

his tent pitched close to the eastern beach, and the troops were col-

lected about among the sand hills, without order or comfort. It

was, to all intents and purposes, living out of doors, for they had

neither tents nor other appliances of camps. We also cSUed to pay

our respects to generals Seymour and Strong. In the tent of the

latter wc were shown a large solid shot which had lit there the day

before, having been thrown from Sumter. This was at a point

not half a mile from the inlet. General Terry was ordered to moveforward his whole division as rapidly as he could. It was taken upFolly river in boats to Pawnee landing, where the regiments weredisembarked and marchedthenc(|;to the head of the island. Duringthat evening and the next da| the brigades of Stephenson and


Montgomery were transferred to Morris island and reported to

general Strong. When I reached the look-out, a mile from the head

of the island, I was ordered to halt there and not move forward un-

less the order came from, or through, general Terry himself. This

was on Saturday, -the 18th, and the next day our camp equipage

and baggage came up, when we went into camp. Terry was con-

siderably nettled because four of his regiments had been taken from

him and given to general Strong, and he was now absent to see

Gillmore on the subject. In less than twelve hours, however, the

fortunes of war reconciled all difficulty, imaginary or real, on this

point, and placed general Terry in a better military position than

he had ever been in before, and probably better than he had ex-

pected to occupy. That evening, the 18th, had been fixed upon

for the second assault on Wagner—this time a night attack. I

reached the old intrenehments about sundown, where I made my

camp on the sea-side. Learning that the assault on Wagner would

be made at dusk, I ascended the look-out in the hope of being able

to distinguish something of it. It was too distant to hear the sound

of artillery, and too dark when the movement began to distinguish

any thing of it ; but I could plainly see the flashes of the enemy's

guns along the parapet of the fort, like a streak of fire. The

musketry of the two parties appeared like a confused mingling of

myriads of fire bugs, as they fly about in the darkness of the

night. In less than an hour the flashes ceased, evidence that the

struggle was over. Then we waited the arrival of intelligence

from the front, and it was not long coming, for bad news quickly

reaches those who do not want to hear it. Soon a rumor reached

us that we had met with a bloody repulse and heavy loss, which

was confirmed ere long by the arrival of general Terry. That was

a gloomy night for the army before Charleston.

Morris island, the scene of the siege operations against the de-

fences before Charleston, lies directly north of Folly, and is a

narrow bed of sand on the west side of the outer harbor. The

2J:0 ONE HUNDRED AND FOUBTH

length from Cumming's point to Light House inlet h about three

miles, while the breadth varies from a few hundred yards to a,

hundred feet in its narrowest part. At a few points the highest

tides sweep across it. A considerable ridge of sand hills runs along

the beach, washed by the tidal waves, while on the opposite side it

slopes off into salt marshes, more than two miles wide and inter-

sected by numerous deep creeks, which ^separate it from James'

island. When our army first landed the sand hills made the sur-

face so uneven that there'was difficulty in pitching tents, but dur-

ing our occupancy the face of the island underwent great change.

To prevent an approach on Charleston in this direction the ene-

my had erected considerable fortifications on the island. The old

work on Cumming's point, known as battery Gregg, and which was

used in the reduction of fort Sumter in April, 1861, had been re-

paired and strengthened, and mounted with four 10 inch Colum-

biads and one 10 inch mortar. These guns pointed down the

island and their shot and shell reached more than half the distance

to the inlet. At the narrowest point of the island, where Vincent's

creek approaches the sea, he had erected battery Wagner, a very

strong work, on which were mounted seventeen guns and mortars,

some of them of heavy caliber. The bomb proof would accommo-

date fourteen hundred men and so strongly built that neither shot

nor shell could penetrate it. The work was flanked on the west by

Vincent's creek and the marshes, and on the east by the sea, and

had a wet ditch. It could only be approached in front along a nar-

row neck of land completely swept by its guns. In the rear it was

protected by a simple musketry parapet. The guns of Gregg took

it in reverse, and the batteries on Sullivan's and James islands in

flank as well as in reverse. In addition to these the barbette guns

of Sumter commanded battery Wagner, and not only could throw

plunging shot into it but down the island a mile beyond. This con-

dition of things served to render the battery a place of unusual

strength, and when taken somewhat difficult to be held. A more


difficult problem than its reduction has seldom been presented to

the engineer for solution. It has rarely occurred in military ope-

rations that a strong place has been besieged by regular approaches

along a neck ox land of less width than one half of the front of the

work. The siege of Wagner differed from most others in the fact

that the communication of both parties was open and unobstructed

to the rear.

When general Gillmore had been selected to relieve general Hun-ter he was at the head of a division in Kentucky, and had recently

gained a victory over the eoemy at Somerset. The skill he dis-

played as an engineer in the reduction of fort Pulaski in the spring

of 1862, recommeaded him as the proper person to command the

proposed attack on the defences before Charleston. He was called

to Washington and put in possession of the views of the government.

The experience of the iron-clads in their attack upon Sumter the

previous April rendered them a little timid of that renowned fort-

ress, and it was desirable, if practicable, to have it placed hors du

combat by operations on the land side. The navy department said

to the general, if he could silence the barbette guns on the sea and

channel faces of the fort, the iron-clads would be able to go into

the inner harbor and finish the work. After listening patiently to

the plan that was laid before him, and all the Administration had

to say on the subject, he pledged himself to accomplish the following,

if placed in command of the land operations, viz : to take and hold

Morris island, reduce fort Wagner, and render Sumter powerless for

offensive purposes. It was clearly understood that the navy was to

finish whatever remained to be done in the capture of Charleston,

after Gillmore had accomplished what he promised.

I have already narrated how and when general Gillmore arrived

in the department, and the quietness and celerity with which he

commenced operations; how he accumulated his forces on Folly

island and erected powerful batteries almost within speaking dis-

tance of the enemy without his knowledge. It now becomes my16


duty to relate liow and when these batteries were opened upon Mor-

ris island, ho-ff it was assualted by the land forces, and what fol-

lowed.

The attack was arranged for the morning of the 9th of July,

but circumstances postponed it until the next day. The infantry

attack was to be made in boats by the way of Folly river, which

were to land on the south-west point of the island, which was pro-

tected by a heavy rifle-pit. The batteries were to shell the enemy

some time before the landing of troops. For this purpose a large

number of boats had been collected in the river near the Campbell

house, twelve of which were from the navy, under the command of

lieutenant McKensie of the Wabash. He left Charleston bar at 9

o'clock the night before in the tug Dandelion with the boats in tow,

and arrived in the Stono before midnight. The troops selected

were Strong's brigade, composed of the 3d New Hampshire, 6th and

7th Connecticut, 9th Maine, 76th Pennsylvania, four companies of

48th New York, and a battalion of sharpshooters. They embarked

in the boats in the early part of evening. They started about 11

p. m., and under cover of the darkness pulled round into Light

House inlet, and when day dawned they lay behind the point of the

creek which comes down from Secessionville.

The enemy had imperfectly fortified the south end of Morris

island, not supposing that we could make a serious attack from that

quarter. There were no regular works, but batteries had been

excavated in the sand hills in which single guns were mounted four

of which were from the old gunboat Isaac Smith. At the south-

west point of the island and near what our troops called Oyster

point there was digged a pretty formidable rifle-pit to protect the

beach where a landing could be made. His force on the island was

about fourteen hundred men. Down to the minute when our gunsopened, the enemy was in profound ignorance of the contemplated

attack, so well had all our operations been concealed. It was knownthat we had some troops on Folly island, which we had never at-


tempted to conceal, and that some slight works were being thrown

up, but they did not dream that we had massed quite an army

among the briers and thorns of that desolate island and constructed

powerful batteries. A rebel officer who was captured on the morn-

ing of the 10th, told major Campbell of the 85th Pennsylvania, that

they had a suspicion all was not right on Folly island for several

days, and to satisfy themselves on the subject a reconnoitring party

of three hundred were to land upon it that night. Two of their

spies were on it the night before. They came ashore at Pawnee

landing, and passed up through the then deserted camps as far as

the look-out, and then returned to their own lines. They reported

that they saw a number of tents, but no men, which confirmed them

in the belief that we had but few troops on the island, and that the

display of camps was a sham. At this time the troops were either

on board the boats on their way to Light House inlet, or had

marched up to the head of the island to support the batteries. Adelay of twenty-four hours might have endangered the whole en-

terprise.


CHAPTER XIX.

Batteries open on Morris island.—Troops land.—The enemy retreat.—Pursuit.—Wagner as-

saulted, and repulse.—Siege operations begun.—Guns in position.—Second assault.

—

Again repulsed.—Plan of operations modified.—The brigade on Folly.—Situation and

importance of the island.—Breaching batteries against Sumter.—Their distance and

"weight of metal.—Swamp Angel.—Second parallel against Wagner opened,—Head

quarters of trenches.

MEAN while the forty-five guns and mortars in position at the

head of Polly island were ready to open on the unsuspect-

ing enemy. The hrush left in front of the batteries to conceal

them from view was cut down and the embrazures opened on the

niglit of the 9th, and the gunners stood by their guns waiting for

the word to fire. General Seymour came into the batteries just as

day was breaking, impatient for the bombardment to open. Hepointed across to Morris island, and asked captain Strahn, of the

3d Rhode Island artillery, who had charge of the three 30 pounder

Parrotts on the right, if he could see a certain gun mounted amono-

the sand hills. The captain replied that he could not yet see it

plain enough to take aim at it. The general then called to some

engineer soldiers and directed them to shovel the sand away from

before the embrazures. They sprang to the work with a will but

day broke so rapidly before they had finished he was afraid they

would be discovered, and ordered the shovelling to stop remarkin"

" it will never do to let them have the first shot." He then directed


the attention of captain Strahn to another gun, and receiving from

him an affirmative reply to the question, " are you ready?" told him

to " blaze aw^ay." In an instant the stillness of the morning was

broken by the roar of artillery, and the siege of Charleston was

fairly begun.

The batteries opened on the astonished rebels shortly after day-

light. The reveillie had just sounded in their camps, and many

officers and men were killed and wounded while attending roll call.

About the same time five navy launches, with howitzers on board,

in charge of lieutenant commander Bunce, executive officer of the

Pawnee, moved up from Folly river and opened on their rifle-pits.

They were followed by the boats containing the troops, which came

out into the inlet and formed in line with the left resting toward

Black island. While resting' on their oars and waiting for the

word to advance, the enemy's sharp-shooters opened on the boats

and wounded one man who died soon afterward. He then turned

some of his heavy guns on the howitzer boats and disabled all but

one. General Strong now gave orders for the boats to advance and

the men to land. It was now about half past aix o'clock. The boats

were immediately pulled to the shore as rapidly as possible and

beached. The men jumped out and formed line instantly, and with

a yell dashed into the enemy's rifle-pits, which were taken without

much opposition. The 6th Connecticut pulled a little to the right

and landed about where the wharf was afterward built.

General Strong was much excited at the scene, and cried out at

the top of his voice, " See the rebels run." In his haste to get on

shore he stepped overboard in seven feet of water. The enemy

routed from the rifle-pits and batteries at the south end of the island,

it was a race between him and our men among the sand hills up

to the Beacon house, more than a mile. Some one caught a rebel

horse for general Strong, which he mounted, without a saddle, and

barefooted, and thus led the troops to the front. "When they reach-

ed the Beacon house they came within range of the guns of "Wag-


ner, and a halt was ordered. A captured gua was turned upon the

fort at once, but without any effect. The flags of the 6th Connecti-

cut were placed on the Beacon house, but they drew the fire of the

enemy and were soon shot down. They were replaced by those of

another regiment. The iron-clads crossed the Charleston bar about

daylight, and after our troops had made a lodgement they moved

up abreast of the island and rolled their ponderous shells across its

surface to hasten the flight of the enemy. They had this effect.

The fire of our batteries continued two hours before the troops

were landed, and was very destructive in its effect. The enemy

was completely routed, leaving behind, in our hands, eight guns

and two mortars, with their tents and camp equipage, and two

hundred prisoners. The balance of the troops on Folly had been

moved up to the head of the island' and were in readiness to cross

over in case their services should be needed. As soon as Strong's

brigade had landed the boats were sent across the inlet and took over

the 100th New York, 7th New Hampshire, and six companies of

the 48th New York, which joined the advance at the Beacon house.

It had been the original intention to follow up these operations with

an immediate assault upon fort Wagner, but the men had became

so much exhausted with the work of the morning, on account of the

great heat, that it was impossible for them to proceed further. It

could probably have been taken on the 10th without much loss, but

the attack was postponed until the next day. The troops bivouack-

ed among the sand hills and threw up some light defensive works

against an assault by the enemy.

The assault was made on Wagner the next morning, the 11th at

daylight, and failed. The troops detailed for the occasion were the

76th Pennsylvania, 48th and 100th New York, 3d New Hamp-shire, 9th Maine, and the 6th and 7th Connecticut, composino- the

brigades of Seymour and Strong. The latter led the advance.

The enemy expected the attack, and was prepared to give the

column a warm reception. Additional preparations to repel the


assault had been made since yesterday. The guns of the fort

swept every foot of ground our troops had to pass over, neverthe-

less they rushed on and reached the parapet, where they made a

lodgement, but for want of proper support were obliged to retire,

leaving many killed and wounded in the hands of the enemy. The

attack being repulsed, the troops fell back to the Beacon house,

where they began to intrench, and whence the siege operations

which followed were carried on.

By the failure of this attack it was clearly seen that a siege, of

greater or less duration, would have to be prosecuted against Wag-

ner. The necessary preparations to begin the work were made at

once. Engineering operations were commenced on the 13th.

That night ground was broken near the Beacon house, and the

work was pushed with such vigor, in spite of the enemy's shelling,

that the first parallel was completed on the 17th, at the distance of

thirteen hundred and fifty yards. The batteries at the head of

Folly island were dismantled, and the guns and mortars taken over

to Morris and mounted there. By the morning of the 18th we had

the following pieces in position^ viz :—Commencing on the right

were four 3-inch ordnance rifles; next, six 10-pounder Parrotts;

then, two 30-pounder Parrotts, with two or three 8-inch siege

mortars, mounted on the left of the parallel. In what was known

as the "Left Batteries," were four 20-pounder Parrott's, four

8-ineh siege mortars, and two or three 30-pounder Parrott's.

General Gillmore determined to try the effect of another assault,

not having yet fairly tested the strength of Wagner. It was

thought that a sudden attack, following a heavy bombardment,

might be able to place the work in our possession. The time fixed

for the assault was at twilight on the evening of the 18th of July.

Ee-'enforcements to the extent of two small brigades, under Stephen-

son and Montgomery, which had just arrived from James' island,

and were then lying at the head of Folly, were ordered over to Mor-

ris in the afternoon, to support or participate in the attack, as

248 ONE HUNDRED AND EOURTH

might be required. The guns of the land batteries had kept up an

uninterrupted fire from sunrise until sunset, firing with deliberation

and accuracy. General G-illmore had arranged with admiral Dahl-

gren to have the navy join in the bombardment, and in consequence

the iron-clads and wooden gunboats moved up and opened fire

about noon, at the distance of a thousand or twelve hundred yards.

By 4 p.m., the fort was silenced; the fire having become so hot that

the enemy could not stand to his guns, and after that time not a

man was seen about the works, nor a gun fired from it until the

assault was made.

The troops selected to make the assault were the brigades

of Seymour, Strong and Putnam, the whole being under the

command of general Seymour. The brigade of general Stephenson

was held in reserve. The troops moved up the beach about sun-

down, and advanced upon the work in deployed, regimental lines.

It was not so dark but what the enemy could see them forming,

and they were expecting the attack. He opened on them before

they reached the Beacon home, at the distance of a mile, but the fire

was not very destructive. As they approached the shot and shell

were changed to grape and cannister and musketry, which mowed

our men down by scores. The troops steadily advanced in spite of

the intensity of the fire, cheered on by their officers. The fort ap-

peared like a mound of fire. A portion of our men entered the

ditch, mounted the parapet, and seized and held for a considerable

length of time a part of the work near the salient, but for want of

support was obliged to retire. Some of them reached that part

of the parapet where they could fire down into the body of the

work, and into the outlets of the bomb-proof. Here we have the

old story, that somebody, whose duty it was to support the advance,

failed to come up in time, and in consequence the hard-earned ad-

vantage was lost.

I have heard all the pros and cons of the question who was re-

sponsible for the failure to support the advance when the lodgement


was made upon the parapet, but it is impossible to arrive at the

truth. Strong's brigade, as already mentioned, was leading, at the

head of which was the 54th Massachusetts. It had arrived and re-

ported to Strong that afternoon about six o'clock. He went to the

bivouack in the sand and informed the men of the contemplated at-

tack upon "WagnerJthat they had been assigned the post of honor,

and asked if they were willing to lead the assault. They re-

sponded in the affirmative, and when the hour came to move up the

beach they marched at the head of the column. The assault was a

direct one, the situation of the work being such that there could be

neither feint nor diversion. When the troops left the ditch for the

parapet they were met by the bayonet and every other weapon that

could be used to oppose their advance. The enemy was driven

from the guns on the curtain, and many of them retired to the

bomb-proof for security. I was afterwards told by a deserter that

the garrison was in great alarm, and that the fort was on the point

of being taken. Among our killed were colonels Putnam and

Shaw who fell on the crest of the parapet. All our killed, many

wounded, and a large number of prisoners, were left in the hands of

the enemy. The total reported loss was fifteen hundred and seven-

teen. It was a dear defeat to us.

The failure of the assault caused a modification in the plans of

general G-illmore. Had he obtained possession of Wagner by this

means, the rest of the works on Morris island would have become

untenable, and would have fallen by their own weight, without fur-

ther bloodshed. This would have placed him within close range of

Sumter, and greatly facilitated his operations against that renowned

fortress. But in this his calculations failed. He was now con-

vinced that Wagner was too strong to be taken by assault, and that

it could only be reduced after a protracted siege. As the guns of

Sumter would be a great annoyance to the men in the trenches,

he determined to silence them before he proceeded with the opera-

rations against Wagner. This was contrary to the usual course in


military engineering, but the necessity of the occasion demanded

that it should at least be attempted. The distance at which the

breaching batteries were erected was unprecedented, and none but

a bold and skilful engineer would have dared risk his reputation

in the attempt. Beauregard, who commanded the defences of

Charleston, assured his troops that Sumter could not be breached

until after Wagner waa reduced, but Gillmore believed differently,

and set about doing it. How well he succeeded will be told in the

following pages.

I took leave of my brigade, in the previous chapter, on the eve-

ning of the 18th of July, the day it had arrived from James' island,

at the upper end of Folly. The regiments bivouacked in the tim-

ber, and passed a gloomy, unpleasant night. It rained in torrents,

and the defeat at Wagner, the news of which reached us imme-

diately afterward, fell with crushing weight upon officers and men.

The casualties at the assault changed, somewhat, the relative situa-

tion of parties. Generals Seymour and Strong being both wounded

and rendered unfit for duty, general Terry was placed in command

of the troops on Morris island; while general Vogdes, who had com-

mand of Folly island, was ordered over to take command of Strong's

brigade. This disposition left me the senior officer on Folly, and

the next day, Sunday the 19th, I was placed in command of all the

troops on the island. They consisted of the 52d and 104th Penn-

sylvania, the 47th, 56th, and Independeat battalion, New York

volunteers, and three light batteries, numbering in the aggregate

about two thousand men.

Folly island lies immediately south of Morris, and partakes of the

«ame general features, except that ib was well timbered. It is seven

miles long, and from a hundred yards to half a mile in width. Two-

thirds of its western border is washed by a small river of the same

name, while all beyond to James' island is a stretch of swamps and

creeks, with a few inconsiderable islands of firm land. This being

our base of supplies and operations, it was of the first importance


to render it entirely safe from the inroads of the enemy, and such

disposition was made of the forces as was thought would best accom-

plish this end. Three regiments, of which the 104th was one, were

encamped near the look-out,a mile from the head of the island, and

strong pickets were maintained on Long and Black islands^ which

flanked Folly in the direction of Secessionville. Captain Marple,

with his company, was statioued at Pawnee landing, the most im-

portant point along Folly river. A line of pickets was stationed all

along the western side of the island, on which side alone was there

any danger of attack. One regiment was placed at the north, and

another at the south, end of the island, where there were several

heavy guns in position. The force was kept busily employed day

and night. In addition to their other duties, they supplied the

troops on Morris island with fire-wood, and the engineers with all

the timber required to construct batteries, magazines, stockades,

friezes, and for other purposes. The wood and timber were hauled

in wagons two and three miles to the inlet, where it was loaded into

soows and taken to the other side, and thence again placed in wagons

and distributed to the points where it was required. This labor em-

ployed a large number of men and teams. For a week after the

assault of the 18th, there was but little firing between the contend-

ing parties, but both were hard at work strengthening themselves

for the coming struggle.

The engineers broke ground for the erection of breaching bat-

teries against Sumter on the night of the 25th of July, and the work

was pushed forward with the utmost vigor day and night. Nothing

was allowed to interfere with this labor, neither the heat of an al-

most tropical sun, nor the shells and balls of a watchful aud gallant

enemy. The work was terribly exhausting to the men, and the

duty of standing guard in the trenches was not much less so. These

batteries occupied three positions, viz. : in the first and second pa-

rallels, and on the western edge of the island close to the marsh,

and known in all the siege opei-ations as the Left Batteries. Most


of the work was done under fire. At the first parallel was a naval

battery manned by sailors from the fleet, and commanded by

commander Foxhall A. Parker. It mounted two 200-pounder

Parrotts, and two 84-pounder Whitworth guns. In addition,

there were five 8-inch, and five 10-inch siege mortars, two 30-

pounder Parrotts, and a Requa battery manned by soldiers. The

distance of these batteries from Sumter was four thousand yards.

In the second parallel were mounted two 200-pounder, and five

100-pounder Parrotts, in three batteries, named Brown, Eose-

crans and Meade, at the distance of thirty-four hundred yards.

The left batteries, forty-two hundred and thirty-five yards from

Sumter, were four in number. Hays, Reno, Stevens and Strong, and

mounted one 300-pounder, two 200-pounder, four 100-pounder,

and four 20-pounder Parrotts. In rear of the first parallel, and

near the Beacon house, were five 10-inch siege mortars. At various

times all the breaching batteries were used against Sumter.

The most famous battery used by our forces in the operations be-

fore Charleston was that which has since become historic under the

name of the "Swamp Angel." There was never ^a reality for the

reputation it achieved except in the fact that shells from its guns

were thrown a greater distance than ever before from a battery on a

level, or nearly so, with the point of attack. It was determined

early in the siege to build a battery out in the marsh between Mor-

ris and James' islands in the hope that shells from it could be thrown

into Charleston. I believe the idea originated with colonel Serrell,

commanding the New York Volunteer engineer regiment. The

spot selected was about a mile from Morris, and south of a line

running from our left batteries to the city, on the edge, of a deep

creek which made a good wet ditch. It was in the midst of the

marsh and a pole could be run down sixteen feet before coming to

bottom. It could only be reached by water along the windino-

creeks which led there, or on a foot bridge across the swamps.


Fortunately the enemy had not entirely destroyed the foot bridge

that used to lead over to James island, whieh our engineers repaired,

and built up anew out to the spot.

The active part of the work was assigned to a lieutenant of en-

gineers, who, upon being shown the place where the battery was to

be erected, said that the thing was impossible. The colonel re-

plied that there was no such word as "impossible" in the matter

and that the battery must be built where he had pointed out. Toencourage the doubting lieutenant he was told he had permission to

call for any thing that might be required for the work. The next

day this officer made a requisition on the depot quartermaster for

one hundred men eighteen feet high to wade through mud sixteen

feet deep. After making the requisition he went to the surgeon of

his regiment to inquire whether he could splice the eighteen feet

men if they were furnished him. This piece of pleasantry cost the

lieutenant his arrest which, however, did not last long, and the

battery was constructed by men of ordinary stature.

It was built entirely of sand bags laid on a heavy foundation of

timber sunk several feet into the mud. The bags were filled with

sand on the island during the day, and taken round to the place in

boats at night. I was told by general Gillmore that the sand bags

alone, and by this is meant the material and making, cost the gov-

ernment five thousand dollars. The enemy judged we must be at

some mischief so far out in the marsh, but could not divine what it

was, for they did not imagine we would be rash enough to attempt

to build a battery there. One bright morning they looked across

the marshes and saw something that had grown since the last sun

went down, which was soon discovered to be the far-famed "Swamp

Angel." It was begun on the 4th, and finished on the 19th of

August, which was rapid work considering the obstacles to be over-

come. A 200 pounder Parrott was mounted in it, and great labor

and exertion were required to get it into position. It was hauled

on a sling cart through the deep saod from the inlet to a creek at


the edge of the swamp, where it was embarked on a raft of pine

timber, and floated down to the battery at night and mounted.

As soon as the enemy was satisfied what we were at, some of his

batteries on James' island opened on it with shell, but did no dam-

age. The distance from Charleston, in a straight line, was eighty-

eight hundred yards, and for the projectile to reach its destination

the gun had to be fired at an elevation of thirty-five degrees.

Three shells filled with pieces of port-fire fell in the streets of

Charleston; but the strain ou the gun was so great that it burst at the

thirty-fourth or thirty-fifth discharge. The " Greek Fire," so much

talked about at the time, was a military myth, and hiid no other

existence than in the fancy of newspaper correspondents. It was

one of the grandest humbugs of the war. Several preparations

were tried, but none of them would answer, and I believe in each

instance the shells that were filled with them exploded soon after

leaving the gun. Two mortars were afterward mounted in the bat-

tery and remained therethrough the winter. Sergeant Felter, com-

pany A, New York Volunteer Engineers, has the honor of suggest-

'

ing the historic name this battery bears.

In the mean time the engineers were pushing the approaches to-

ward Wagner, and labor on them was never slackened for a mo-

ment. The second parallel was opened on the night of the 23d of

July, six hundred yards nearer the fort. Here was our strongest

position, both offensive and defensive. Great labor was consumed

on the works erected in this parallel, and the best skill of the en-

gineers was brought into requisition. In addition to the heavy

guns already mentioned as intended to be used against Sumter,

there were also mounted here four 12-pounder howitzers, two

12-pounder Napoleons, two 30-pounder Parrotts, three Wierd

steel guns, one boat howitzer, three Cohoon mortars, and a Requa

battery. They make twenty-two pieces in all, which, with the

breaching guns, show a greater weight of metal at one parallel than

most modern sieges exhibit. Here was built a large store man-a-


sine whioli contained a supply of powder for all tte contiguous

batteries. Adjoining it was a small splinter-proof, in whioli was

an army telegraphic instrument, used to communicate witli post

and general headquarters. It was designated as headquarters of

the trenches, and here the general and field officer on duty at the

front during active operations took up their quarters.

A man was kept stationed on the top of the supply magazine to

watch the firing of the enemy's batteries, and give warning when

a shell was coming that way. When he pronounced the significant

words, "Johnson"—"Cover," or "Simpkins"—"Cover," every

officer and soldier within the sound of his voice made the best pos-

sible time to seek the shelter of the neighboring sand bags. One

day a shell from James' island passed through the sand-bag roof of

the headquarters of the trenches and exploded inside, kicking up a

very unpleasant rumpus among the inmates, the instrument and

other fixtures. Lieutenant Cross, the operator, was pitched out

heels over head, and colonel Howell, 85th Pennsylvania, general

officer of the day, was so badly stunned that he did not recover for

several weeks. In entering the trenches to guard them at night,

the details that went further to the front were distributed at the

second parallel, and thence conducted, under guides, to their re-

spective stations.

On the right of the parallel, as far out as low-water mark, was

constructed what was known as the surf battery, in which was

mounted two 12-pounder howitzers to sweep the beach. In im-

mediate front was a line of frieze work, and between that and the

batteries was an extensive wire entanglement to trip up assailants

in the dark. Our works were well provided with appliances to pre-

vent the enemy entering them in a sortie from Wagner. Firing

between our own and the enemy's batteries was resumed on the 24th

of July, and was continued almost without intermission until the

siege was over. Casualties, day and night, were frequent. That

night colonel Leggett, 10th Connecticut, lost his leg in the


trenches. The next night an enemy's shell exploded in the midst

of a fatigue party mounting a two hundred pounder, and wounded

twenty-one men. The second parallel was at the narrowest point of

the island. About this time the enemy opened a new battery on

James' island, which partially enfiladed our works and annoyed us

considerably.


CHAPTER XX.

Our battorles open on Sumter.—Projectiles fired.—Sltoatlon in the fort.—Situation on Folly

island.—Brigade goes into the trenches.-Captain Payne taken—Third parallel open-

ed.—A sand ridge captured.—Fatal shot.—Wagner gradually approiichcd.—Brigade en-

camp on Morris island.—The trenches.-Flag of trvice.—Death of lieutenant colonel Pur-

viance.—Death of Shaddinger.—Thel04th goes into advanced trenches.—Boat infantry.-.-

Officers sent home for recruits.

ITwas important to have Sumter powerless for offensive purposes

before the siege against Wagner could be prosecuted with

success, and therefore the completion of the breaching batteries

was hastened as rapidly as possible. Heavy details worked on them

constantly, day and night, in spite of the heat and shells of

the enemy. On the 12th of August the range of one of the 200

pounders in the left batteries was tried on the fort. The first shot

was a successful one. The shell struck the parapet on the side to-

ward the city and knocked down several cart loads of bricks, which

fell on a steam boat lying at the wharf and crushed down the smoke

stack. By the IGth all the guns were in position and, ready to open

except the 300 pounder. This was found to be a troublesome cus-

tomer to get into its resting place. It had to be transported more

than a mile from the dock, where it was landed, through deep sand

and semi-marsh overflowed by the tide. The labor was immense,

and its great weight broke down three sling carts before it reached

the battery. It could only be worked at in the night to prevent

being seen by the enemy, and during the day it was covered up by

17


a paulin or long grass. A oliance shell might have disabled the

monster. All the guns and mortars were mounted at night.

The batteries opened on Sumter on the 17th of August. At the

same time the iron-clads moved up to take part in the bombard-

ment. The monitors Patapsco and Passaic directed their fire on

the fort, while the other vessels engaged Wagner to prevent her

guns annoying our batteries. The fire of the land batteries was

continued through the day without cessation, and by night the

parapet presented a very battered appearance. The great holes in

the wall made it look as though pitted by a strong attack of small

pox. The firing was renewed every morning, from day to day, and

ceased at sun-set until the close of the 23rd, when the fort for all

offensive purposes was destroyed. All the barbette guns were dis-

mounted and buried up in the debris. The gorge wall and sea face

were so badly shattered that in many places the arches of the case-

mates were exposed. So far as could be observed, all the lines were

destroyed, and what was once a beautiful fortress presented the ap-

pearance of a shapeless mass of brick and mortar. The enemy re-

plied feebly and did but little damage. Occasionally our batteries

opened on Sumter between the 23rd of August and the 1st of Sep-

tember, when the first bombardment may be said to have ceased.

During the period 6250 projectiles, of the following caliber, were

fired at the fort, viz :

300 pound Parrott. Solid shot 5. Percussion shell 286.

200 " " " 697. " " 1108.

100 " " « 1463. " '' 2691.

Total, 2165. 4085.

The bombardment was in plain view from my quarters, and I could

see with the naked eye whenever a shell struck the walls, as it in-

variably threw up a cloud of dust. The sight was an interesting

one, and the accuracy of the aim at such long range was remarka-


ble. From time to time the fleet assisted in the bombardment, but

the men shut up in the iron-clads could only stand it a few hours at

a time, when the vessels were compelled to retire. The fire of the

land batteries was continuous, with reliefs for the guns. Some time

afterward the correspondent of the Mobile Tribune gave the fol-

lowing interesting account of the situation inside the fort during

the last day's bombardment, when the Ironsides and monitors moved

up to the attack, taken from the oflicial report of the rebel inspec-

tor general. He says :" The Ironsides and seven monitors com-

menced a terrific bombardment. A fog protected them from the

guns of Moultrie. Sumter having only two 10 inch and one 11

inch guns left in barbette could only fire an occasional shot to show

life. For seven hours, at close range, the fleet hurled shot and shell

into the work. Striking the wall near the parapet, loose bricks were

thrown up in columns and fell in showers around the gunners and

about the work. Walls were ploughed through, casemates were filled

with sand, and the shells passed across the parade, striking the in-

terior wall of the west magazine, containing powder enough to de-

stroy fort and garrison. One shell struck the Ventilator and ex-

ploded. It filled the magazine with smoke. Another more success-

ful shot, and all would have been lost. It was an anxious moment,

but the fort was held. Gradually the morning dawned. The fog

lifted, and fort Moultrie opened fire on the ships. Instead of con-

tinuing their fire at tJiis critical period, the fleet withdrew and the

danger was removed. The object was now, in the unsafe condition

of the fort, to get rid of the powder.- It depends on time, and the

movements of the fleet. Had the fleet reneioed the attack, the busi-

ness might have been done. The fleet delayed! Night after night

the powder was moved in barrels, under the enemy's guns. Only

800 pounds were left; the crisis was passed! The fort was now

safe from the explosion of the powder in its magazine." When the

bombardment began there were a hundred and thirty-one thousand


pounds of powder in the magazine, which was removed and shipped

to Charleston. The enemy was now allowed a resting spell of fifty

days, in which time he constructed within the fort bomb-proofs of

timber and sand that made it as strong as before for purposes of

defence.

Mean while let ua glance at the situation of things on Folly

island. Two deserters came in on the 27th of July and reported

that the enemy contemplated an attack on the south end of the

island that night. To give the necessary directions to the troops

in case an attack should be made, and to be sure that the pickets

were vigilant, I rode round the entire island and visited every post

after dark. It was an unpleasant ride of fifteen miles through

bushes, across swamps, and in the sand. No attack was made. I

was relieved of the command of the island on the 31st instant, by

general Vogdes. This was occasioned by the anticipated arrival of

considerable re-enforcements from the North, and .as they were to

be accompanied by several brigadiers it was necessary to have an

ofiicer higher in rank than a colonel in command on their arrival.

One brigade landed the 1st of August, and others followed until

the re-enforoements reached ten thousand men. Among them were

two regiments of negroes, one from North Carolina, and the other

from Massachusetts. The former regiment was commanded by a

brother of Henry Ward Beecher. The white troops came from the

army of the Potomac, and formed part of the 11th corps, which

was badly cut up when surprised at Chancellorsville.

My brigade went into the trenches the night of the 3d of August

for the first time, when it furnished a detail of four hundred and

seventy-five men, under a field officer, for a twenty-four hours' tour on

guard. On the night of the 5th it furnished another detail of four

hundred and fifty men, of whom one hundred and fifty assisted the

engineers in the erection of batteries. From this time forward

while operations continued the brigade furnished heavy details for

duty in the trenches for guard and fatigue, in addition to the large


amount of labor done on Folly island. There were periods when

the same men went into the trenches two nights in succession. The

heat was excessive, and but for the sea breeze they could not have

endured it. The 104th did its full proportion of labor of all kinds,

and shared all the dangers of the siege. The first casualty the regi-

ment met in the trenches was on the night of the 12th of August,

when Gotleib Uartfelder, of company D, was struck by a piece of

shell on the inside of the leg just below the knee. The wound was

not dangerous. Later in the siege this soldier was again wounded,

and died a few days afterward. During the same tour of duty when

Hartfelder was wounded the first time, a shell burst under Henry

Halderman and Elias Keeler, of company C, which threw them up

two or three feet, but without doing them any injury. The rifle of

Halderman was struck by a splinter and bent into a semi-circle, and

the stock shattered to pieces. Samuel Taylor's rifle at the same

time was sticking in the ground, bayonet down, when the butt was

struck by a piece of shell and broken ofi' at the handle. There

was some apprehension of a sortie on our works, the morning of

the 13th, and in consequence the whole brigade was ordered over

to Morris island the night before. The regiments crossed the inlet

at 11 o'clock, p. m., and marched up the beach to near the Beacon

house, where they stacked arras and remained until nearly noon,

when they returned to Folly island. On the night of the 4th of

August the army met quite a severe loss in the capture of captain

Payne, 100th New York, who had become famous as a scout during

the operations. While on a reconnoissance in a boat he was met by

a superior force of the enemy at a place then known as Paynes'

dock near where several creeks empty into the harbor of Charleston.

He was wounded, and overpowered, and with some of his party,

made prisoner. He was confined in the Columbia jail several

months. He had charge of the boat scouts down to the time of

his capture, and obtained much valuable information of the water

approaches to the harbor.

262 ONE HUNDRED AND POTJRrH

The third parallel, at the distance of four hundred and fifty yards

from Wagner, was opened by the flying sap on the night of the

9th of August. The work continued to be pushed forward as ra-

pidly as possible, sometimes by the flying, and at others by the full

sap, as the condition of things permitted. The fourth parallel was

opened on the 22d at the distance of three hundred yards from the

fort. A short distance in front of this was a sand ridge whore the

enemy's sharpshooters were stationed, who annoyed our men in

the trenches considerably, and it became necessary to seize and

hold it before the approaches could be carried forward beyond

it. An assault was arranged for the night of the 26th, when the

24th Massachusetts, under colonel Osborn, made a dash at it with

the bayonet, which was successful, and seventy odd prisoners were

captured. When the alarm was sounded the enemy's guns opened

a brisk fire, which killed and wounded a few of our men. Shovels

were placed in the hands of the prisoners, who were compelled to

dig to protect themselves from the fire of their own friends. This

was an important point gained, and here the fifth parallel was open-

ed the same night, within two hundred yards of Wagner. Mortars

from the parallels in the rear were now moved forward and estab-

lished here as soon as practicable. The next day the enemy made

one of those fatal shots that occur now and then in military opera-

tions. The 85th Pennsylvania was on guard in the trenches, and

as there had not been much firing during the day the men became

a little careless. Towards evening, a mortar shell, fired from James'

island, fell and exploded in a little area where nine soldiers were

sitting. Seven were killed on the spot, and the two others were so

badly wounded that they died in a short time. The parts of their

body, clothing, equipments, and broken guns were scattered in all

directions.

The fifth was the most advanced parallel. Beyond this point the

approaches were simply zig-zags, making very sharp angles, as there

was not sufiioieat front to develop a parallel. In this manner the


engineers continued to creep up to Wagner, until they crowned the

counterscarp on the night of the 6th of Septemher. The nearer

they approached the foit, the more difficult and dangerous hecame

the work. The enemy kept up an almost constant fire of shot and

shell and small arms, and the low trenches afibrded indifferent cover

to the troops guarding them. The engineers and fatigue parties

were almost entirely without protection. The enemy had planted

the ground immediately in front of the fort with torpedoes, which

increased the dangers of engineering operations. A number of

them were digged out and destroyed, while several exploded with

fatal effect to our men. Their presence in such numbers, no doubt

prevented the enemy making sorties to attempt to destroy our works

and spike our guns.

On the evening of the 22d of August, I was ordered with my

whole brigade to Morris island, with two days' cooied rations, for a

tour of that length in the trenches. We crossed the inlet about

midnight and, upon reporting at post headquarters for orders, were

assigned a position for bivouac on the beach just below the Beacon

house, where a trench had been thrown up as a slight protection

against the shells from James' island. Here we stacked arms and lay

in the sand and burning sun that night and the next day. In the

afternoon I received the detail of general officer of the day, and

major Rogers that of field officer of the trenches, and toward eve-

ning we went to the front to get a knowledge of the localities before

going upon duty. While passing the hundred pound battery in the

second parallel, we came near running against a shell thrown from

James' island, which struck near enough to throw the black mud

of the marsh into our faces and over oni' clothing. It was a warn-

ing that did not go unheeded, and afterward we kept well covered.

The troops went upon duty just at dark. Entering the trenches at

the first parallel, they passed along them by the flank to the ex-

treme front, where the engineers were at work, men being sent into

all the intermediate parallels and batteries as they went up. In


some places the trench was deep enough to afford protection when

walking upright, while in other parts they had to stoop to get cover.

Up to the second parallel there were splinter-proofs to protect the

men from the fragments of bursting shells, but above that there was

only the usual trench. Every few minutes a shell from James' island

or Wagner, or the ball of a sharp-shooter, came in close proximity,

when there would be an involuntary seeking of cover.

The officers and men lay in their trenches and slight splinter-

proofs for twenty-four hours, when they were relieved by a new de-

tail. The situation was most trying, to say nothing of the danger,

and particularly so during the day, when they were obliged to lie

close to avoid the sharp-shooters, with the sun pouring down upon

them in burning rays. The 104th occupied the most advanced po-

sition, and consequently was. more exposed than the other troops.

We were fortunate not to have any casualties in the regiment, al-

though there were several narrow escapes. A fragment of a shell

covered the sergeant major with sand. While captain Kephart was

lying asleep on his rubber blanket, it was struck by a piece of shell

within a few inches of his head, and torn into several pieces. The

captain was not injured. At noon on Sunday, lieutenant-colonel

Hall, provost marshal general of the department, went inside the

enemy's lines near Wagner, with a flag of truce, to receive the an-

swer of Beauregard to general Gillmore's demand for the surrender

of the city. He passed up the beach to near the fort, where the

enemy had a small picket stationed. During the conference white

flags were raised on both sides, which was a signal for the opposing

parties to show themselves upon their works. The officer, a lieu-

tenant, who received colonel Hall, said he was tired and disgusted

with the war, and expressed the wish that we would make haste to

take the fort. The brigade was relieved at dark on Sunday, when

we returned to our bivouac on the beach, where we lay until Tues-

day evening, when we returned to Folly island, having made a tour

of duty of one hundred hours. Monday night was one of the stornii-


est I ever experienced, and the officers and men lay about in the

sand in pools of water. It was an occasion that tried the patience

and endurance of soldiers, yet there was not a murmur of complaint.

While we were there, the " Swamp Angel " threw the three shells

into Charleston which created so much stir among the inhabitants,

and caused so much indignation on the part of Beauregard. Wecould distinctly hear the bells ring, as though the fire department

was called out.

On the 29 th of August my brigade was transferred to Morris

island to relieve that of general Ames, which returned to Folly.

We reached the inlet at midnight, but not finding a boat there to

take us across, we lay in the sand until morning and crossed over

by daylight. When the baggage and camp equipage arrived, we

went into camp on the eastern beach, about a mile from the inlet,

and just below the look-out. That afternoon a battalion of the

104th was detailed as funeral escort for the remains of lieutenant-

colonel Purviance, 85th Pennsylvania, who was killed in the

trenches the night before by the premature explosion of a shell

fired from one of our own guns. The body was taken to Hilton

Head, and thence sent home for burial. On the night of the 3lst

the brigade sent seven hundred men into the trenches for the usual

tour of twenty-four hours, of which the 104th furnished two hun-

dred, with the proper number of officers. I was requested to fur-

nish a detail of one lieutenant and forty men, who could at all

times be relied upon for fatigue with the engineers in the advance

trenches. They were taken from the 104th, and composed of volun-

teers from companies A and 0, in equal numbers, and placed in

charge of lieutenant Laughlin. The situation was one of great ex-

posure and danger, and of those who were oa this duty the night of

the 31st, one was killed and six wounded, viz :—Shaddinger killed,

Martindale, Naylor, Whitecraft, Swartly, Fryling and Horn

wounded, all of company A. Of those on guard in the trenches

three were wounded:—Jones, company D, MoEwen, company F,


and Enochs, company H. Poor Shaddinger tad been at work only

a little while when he was killed. A shell from Wagner burst near

the party, a small fragment of which struck him, passing through

the body, killing him instantly. I saw him leave the second paral-

lel to go to the front, and it seemed that he had hardly passed from

my sight before he was brought back on a stretcher and laid down

before me, dead, with a hole through his chest. He had assisted

to floor my tent that morning, and my attention was more particu-

larly called to him on this account. The wounds of the others

were not of a dangerous character.

The nest day the 104th was selected, in place of one of the

chosen three regiments which had been doing that duty, to occupy

the advance trenches. The evening of the 3d of September a part

of the regiment was sent into them. The detail consisted of two

hundred and fifty men, with the following commissioned officers,

viz :—Captains Marple, Swartzlander and Kephart, and lieutenants

Laughlin, Scarborough, Bitting, Duncan and Myers. The party

was under command of captain Marple, the senior officer of the

regiment present. This tour of duty was more than usually trying.

The advance trenches were shallow and affijrded only a slight pro-

tection from the guns of the enemy. Wagner opened on them

soon after they went on duty, and continued to fire until late the

next afternoon, when our batteries opened and silenced it. I be-

lieve this was the last occasion on which Wagner fired upon us in

day time. The men lay within one hundred yards of the fort the

twenty-four hours, and during the day the enemy could see them

from the parapet. Only those who have been placed in a similar

situation can appreciate it. The 104th met with six casualties

during this tour of duty, viz:—Buderwack, company D, killed;

and Horn, company A; Spering, company F; Thomas, company D;

McCall, company B ; and Wright, company D, wounded. The lat-

ter was stunned by a bursting shell. Horn was a second time

wounded, both times slightly. Buderwack lived to be taken to the


hospital, where he died in about two hours. He was injured fatally

in the back by the bursting of a shell, although the skin was not

broken. In his last moments this good soldier thought of his com-

rades in arms and the poor of his adopted borough. A few minutes

before he died he made a verbal bequest of all his worldly wealth.

The thirty-six dollars in his pocket he directed to be expended for

tobacco for the company, and the one hundred and twenty dollars

deposited in the Doylestown bank he wished distributed among the

poor of Quakertown borough, where he formerly resided. He was

a foreign German, and without relatives in this country. *When

the men returned from the trenches on the night of the 4th they

found prepared for them several gallons of iced-lemonade, enough

for a drink all round, than which they could not have received a

more welcome treat.

Immediately upon our lodgement upon Morris island general Gill-

more organized a boat infantry party, consisting of about two hun-

dred and fifty men, with the proper officers, detailed from the various

regiments. It was placed under command of major Sanford, 7th

Connecticut, and the officers and men were relieved of all other

duty. They used boats that carried about twelve men each, one

half at the oars. The place of rendezvous was in the creek near

the left batteries, and at a later period their permanent camp was

established there. They made nightly reconnoissancfes through the

creeks that empty into the harbor of Charleston, and after the fall

of Wagner they picketed the harbor itself. Such a force was neces-

sary to watch the water courses that intersect the marshes that lie

between Morris and James' islands to prevent the scouts and spies of

the enemy from landing. The enemy employed a similar force, and

occasionally there was a collision between the boat pickets. The

last of September major Sanford was relieved from the command, and

captain Ferris, Independent battalion, appointed. He directed the

operations of the boat infantry until the beginning of December, when

captain John Hennessy, 52d Pennsylvania Volunteers, was placed in


command, which he retaiaed until the last of April, when the bri-

gade left Morris island. His regiment returned to Morris island iu

June. He was on duty there when Charleston was evacuated by

the enemy, and was the first man in fort Sumter, for which he re-

ceived the brevets of lieutenant-colonel, colonel, and brigadier-gene-

ral. This service was both dangerous and arduous, and subjected

the officers and mQn to great exposure. The first detail from the

104th for this duty was made on the 11th of September, when

twelve men were ordered there to replace others who had been re-

lieved.' They were taken from the four companies A, E, F, and G,

company E furnishing about one half of them. About the same

time one lieutenant, one sergeant, five corporals, one bugler and

thirty privates were detailed from the lO-lth to man and take charge

of four Requa batteries, which were used in connection with the

boat-infantry. Lieutenant Bitting, of company H, was placed in

command. '' These batteries consisted of an ingenious arrangement

of twenty-five rifle barrels, mounted upon a light field carriage for

land service, and on a centre pintal iu the stern of a boat when used

on water. They load at the breach with metallic cartridges, at a

single manipulation, and are discharged by a percussion cap exploded

by a hammer and a lanyard. The whole twenty-five barrels can be

discharged twelve times in a minute. The barrels can be elevated

or depressed, and thrown apart or contracted laterally so as to en-

able them to command greater or less front. They would be a de-

structive weapon against infantry. Two of these batteries were

afterward used with the boat infantry, lieutenant Bitting and his

detail reporting to captain Hennessey for duty. They shared in all

the hardships and dangers of the water service during the winter,

and until the brigade left the island. One battery was in the re-

connoissance to Sumter the night of the 19th of November, and

on the nights of the 21st and 22d of the same month one battery

was sent out into the harbor with a small party to capture a rebel

picket boat. One battery was in the harbor every night the entire


winter. On the nights of the 2d and 3d of February two batte-

ries accompanied the boat infantry and naval expedition in their at-

tempt to capture the relief for Sumter. Not unfrequently the most

dangerous part of the duty was assigned the Kequas, and sometimes

it fell to their lot to be stationed within a few hundred yards of the

enemy's batteries on James' island. Those engaged in these duties

will always have a lively recollection of the long.winter nights they

spent in their boats, in cold and storm, patrolling Charleston har-

bor watching for the approach of the enemy.

When Sumter was rendered harmless for offensive purposes on

the 23d of August, there was great expectation that the iron-ckds

would go in and complete the work which the land forces had so

successfully and gallantly commenced. This was understood to be

the offer of the Navy Department when Gillmore undertook the

siege of Charleston, but the iron monsters, which had cost the gov-

ernment so many millions, and on which so many hopes were based,

seemed no more willing to enter the inner harbor than before Sum-

ter had been bombarded. At this time it was believed they could

have made a successful entry and have silenced the shore batteries,

but after the lapse of a few weeks the enemy had added so much

to their strength that the success of any such attempt would have

been extremely doubtful. Without intending to cast reflections

upon admiral Dahlgren, I am convinced that had Farragut been

in command of our fleet off Charleston, the city would have been

in our possession by the 1st of September. This opinion was con-

curred in by the whole army operating there.

Toward the close of July and while yet on Folly island, general

G-illmore directed three commissioned officers and five enlisted men

to be detailed from each regiment in his army, to proceed to the

draft rendezvous of their respective states to receive and conduct

drafted recruits to camp to fill up their regiments. The detail from

the 104th consisted of lieutenant-colonel Hart, captain Corcoran,

and lieutenant Hibbs, and sergeants Craven, Garron, Widdifield,

270 ONE HUNDRED AND POUKTH

Ball and Wyatt and Corporal Everett. The number of men re-

quired to fill up the regiment to its maximum strength was 341.

The detail sailed in the steamer on the 1st of August, and were ex-

pected to return in two or three weeks at the farthest, but their ab-

sence was prolonged several months waiting for recruits at Phila-

delphia, and the last of them did not return to the regiment until

the middle of the following January. While encamped on Folly

island we lost one man by drowning, private Levi Walter, company

A, who while bathing in the sea oif the eastern beach on the 23d

of July, went down in presence of his comrades. He had been a

good soldier, and was wounded on the Peninsula.

Before we left Folly island quartermaster Hendrie was trans-

ferred to the Invalid corps, for which he had made application some

time before, on the ground that his wound received on , the Penin-

sula incapacitated him for active service in the field. He went

North about the same time as the ofiicers detailed to conduct draft-

ed recruits to the regiment.


CHAPTER XXI.

C«mp on Morris Islnnd.—Condition of roglniont.-r-Night attack in Ijoats on buttery Gregg.—

Wftgnor to bo again »ss«nlteil.—Plan and proparatioua.—Troops soloctod.—Bombard-

ment Isopt up.—AVo movo up to the .issault.—I'ort evftouatod.—Troops raaroli to bead of

island—Condition of tho fort.—Prisoners takou by boat infantry.—Naval nesault on

Snmtor.—Uombiu-iimont of Monltrit.'.

THE camp of tho regiment on Morris island was not in a pleasant

location. The whole brigade was encamped on the beach be-

tween the ordinary high water line and tho sand hills. The troops

had tho benefit of tho sea breeze, but occasional tides overflowed the

camps to the depth of a foot or two, when the tents were flooded

with water. The officers escaped by having their tents pitched on

the sand ridge. One of tho first acts of quartermaster Lehnen,

who had succeeded lieutenant llcndrie in that office, after the regi-

ment had been transferred to Morris island, was the erection of

ovens, which supplied the regiment with good fresh bread, daily.

This added greatly to the health of the men, and the saving on the

flour at the same time considerably increased the funds in the regi-

mental treasury. I believe all tho regiments of the brigade, from

time to time, had bread baked in the ovous of the 104th. During

the extreme heat the Sanitary commission supplied the regiment

witli one hundred pounds of ice daily, and more or less vegetables.

The men kept remarkably healthy. At no time more than ten

per cent, were reported on tho sick list, while some regiments ran


up to forty and fifty. This good sanitary condition was tlie result

of discipline, cleanliness, bathing at proper hours, and the proper

cooking of food. In the absence of lieutenant colonel Hart the

command of the regiment devolved on major Rogers, who conduct-

ed it through the operations against Wagner in a very creditable

manner. Only those who have tried the experiment know how

hard a thing it is to lie still all day and night in a narrow ditch,

with the thermometer at 100°, subject to a heavy fire; or while

thus exposed to use the shovel. The casualties were numerous—the

sick list was largely on the increase—some regiments having more

than half their number unfit for duty. The burial of the dead was

almost of hourly occurrence, and at one tinie it became so frequent

that an order was issued prohibiting music being used on such oc-

casions. About this time surgeon Hamlin, the medical inspector

of the department, made a tour of the camps, and after a careful

inspection reported that unless Wagner should soon fall the troops

would not be in a condition to longer prosecute the siege, and that

a third assault would be more economical of life than the continu-

ance of operations for any length of time, with present losses.

The attention of general Gillmore was now called to the probable

success of a night attack, in boats, upon battery Gregg. It was

immediately resolved upon. If successful, the retreat of Wagner's

garrison would be out off, and that work would necessarily fall into

our hands. The execution of the plan was intrusted to major San-

ford, of the 7th Connecticut, and a force of five hundred men was

detailed from four of the most reliable regiments. Of this numberthe 104th furnished one hundred and fifty. The time fixed was

the night of the 4th of September, and it was intended to be a sur-

prise. During the day a number of boats were hauled across the

island and launched in the creek near the left batteries, whencethere was an unobstructed passage into Charleston harbor. Theplan was to approach quietly and land under cover of the darkness

and then rush upon and overpower the garrison. The oriinna] in-


tention was to spike the guns and blow up the magazine, but it was

afterward determined to hold the battery, if taken. When the men

came to embark it was found that the boats would not hold them

all, and about two thirds were left behind. Before they started

major Sanford called for a volunteer to blow up the magazine—one

who feared neither man nor the devil. None responding, captain

Swartzlander replied that he had such a one in his company, and

presented sergeant Kosenberger, who volunteered to apply the

match. When the advance drew near the battery a sentinel was

discovered on the beach, whea the boats retired. The next night

another attempt was made with no better success. The enemy opened

on the boats with a field piece and small arms and drove them off.

Major Sanford reported that the boats retired without orders,

while officers who were along, stated that they returned by his

express command. The loss was slight. The 104th had two men

wounded, corporal Housum, company H, and private Nice, company

D, the former quite seriously, by grape shot, and the latter by a

piece of shell. The conduct of eorporal Housum was highly credit-

able. He retained his oar and said nothing about his wound until

after they had returned, for fear it might alarm the other men in

the boat. The officers of the regiment, who accompanied the expe-

dition, were captains Swartzlander and Kephart, and lieutenants

Scarborough, Laughlin, Myers and Bitting.

The enterprise failed and Wagner must be taken by other means.

It now became evident that another assault would have to be made,

and it was determined upon without delay. I was told by general

Terry, early in the week, that the work would be stormed in a few

days, and that most probably my brigade would form part of the

force for that purpose. This was not a pleasant subject to reflect

upon several days in advance, as the former experiments of this

kind led me to believe it would be a very serious business. As the

information was given me in confidence, I was denied the privilege

of sharing the reflection with others, by telling them what was to

18

274 ONE HUNDRED AND EOUETH

take place. It gave me ample time to make the preparations whioli

are customary before one enters the "imminent deadly breach." I

had a suspicion of what was to be done before any thing was told me

on the subject. One night about this time, when being relieved

from duty in the trenches, I had occasion to go to the extreme front

to explain the situation of things to the new general officer of the

day. As I passed along I noticed the engineers hard at work deep-

ening and widening the trenches, which I knew would only be dene

to enable them to receive and conceal large bodies of troops prepara-

tory to an assault. The officer in charge of the work dropped a

remark which strengthened my suspicion, which was confirmed a

day or two afterward.

The time of assault was fixed at 9 o'clock on Monday morning

the 7th of September, and it was not made public until the day be-

fore. Soon after dinner an orderly was sent round to the respective

brigade commanders, with a request for thorn to report at the quar-

ters of general Terry at five o'clock in the afternoon, and probably

none of them suspected the purpose of the meeting, except myself.

When we were assembled, he announced that a third assault on "Wag-

ner had been resolved on, which would be made the next mornins

with a hope of seizing the work and capturing the garrison, and that

he had sent for us to notify us of the part we were respectively to

take in the operations. The matter was well discussed, the troops

designated, and such verbal instructions, as were deemed necessary,

given to the respective commanders. Each one was handed a draw-

ing of the work. The conference being concluded, we were dis-

missed to our quarters, with instructions to re-assemble there at

8 o'clock in the evening, bringing with us our regimental com-

manders. Mean while we gave the necessary directions to have our

troops placed in a condition for the work before them. We were

punctual at the hour in re-assembling at headquarters. Upon this

occasion general Gillmore, and his chief of artillery, colonel Turner

were present. The plan of the assault was further discussed and


each commanding officer, impressed with the particular duty that

devolved upon him, and the important relation it bore to the success

of the whole. Written instructions were promised to be sent us

before midnight. All present concurred in the feasibility of the

plan^ and we looked forward to the morrow with hope and con

fidence to the capture of the great stumbling-block in our road to

Charleston. To give encouragement, general G-illmore said to the

officers present, that when he was at the war department Mr. Stan-

ton told him he would promote any officer whom he should recom-

mend for good conduct in operations against Wagner, in just two

minutes by the clock in the office. But after the work was done,

the Secretary forgot his promise. We now bade good-by, and

separated to our respective quarters.

The troops selected for this important and serious work, were the

brigades of general Stephenson and colonel Davis, and the 97th

Pennsylvania and 3d New Hampshire regiments, numbering in all

about three thousand men. These two latter regiments were to

form the storming party. Montgomery's brigade of negroes was to

be held in reserve on the beach near the Beacon house. The plan.

for the attack was this :—The troops were to be taken into the

trenches during the night, the two storming regiments in advance,

where they were to lie concealed until the hour arrived for the at-

tack. The signal for the assault was to be the displaying the Ame-

rican flag on the surf battery at the second parallel. The head of

the storming party would rest only a few feet from the ditch of the

fort, and consequently have but a very short distance to go to mount

the work. At the signal they were to rush out of the trench and

swarm over the parapet, seize and spike the guns in the water bas-

tion that raked the beach, and secure the entrances to the bomb-

proofs. At the same time the two brigades were to leave the trenches

by the nearest parallel, and form quickly upon the beach. That of

Stephenson was to move up, right in front, pass the end of Wagner

next the sea, file to the left and mount the rear of the work. My


brio-ade was to move up the beach left in front, and when about

midway between Wagner and Gregg file across the island to pre-

vent re-enforcements coming down. It was supposed a battery was

established somewhere here, which I was directed to seize. The

104th, in addition to their arms and equipments, were to carry two

hundred shovels to intrench with, should it become necessary. The

shovels were deposited near the quarters of major Kogers during

the evening. The troops were ordered to be under arms at half-past

1 o'clock in the morning. The batteries were to continue their fire

until the moment of assault.

Mean while operations were pushed most vigorously against Wag-

ner, and the garrison was harassed day and night by fire from

land and sea. I have already mentioned that the counterscarp of

the ditch was crowned on the night of the 6th, when captain

Walker, of the volunteer engineers, pulled up some of the pali-

sading that protected it ; and that the trenches were widened and

deepened to hold the troops. The light mortars were moved for-

ward and placed in position in the most advance parallels. To

prevent the enemy repairing at night the damage done to the fort

through the vday, a powerful calcium light was turned upon it,

which lit up the works almost as light as day, enabling our men to

see every thing that was going on, while it blinded the enemy.

The number of our sharpshooters was increased and the enemy were

kept from his guns day and night. On Saturday morning, the

5th, all the land batteries were opened on Wagner, and at the same

time the Ironsides moved up within a thousand yards and com-

menced a rapid discharge of her heavy broadsides. This was con-

tinued over forty hours without cessation. In all this time the air

was filled with shells bursting in and over the fort, which drove

away every living thing from sight and compelled the garrison to

bury themselves in their impenetrable bomb-proofs. At night the

spectacle presented was grand and sublime.

When the officers separated at the quarters of general Terry


they repaired to tlieir respective camps to make sucli personal and

professional arrangements as tlie occasion required. There was a

good deal to be done to get ready for such a serious undertaliing.

There were orders to issue to the troops to get under arms at the

time fixed upon ; boxes to be filled with ammunition and the can-

teens with water, beside other necessary preparations. Then there

were matters of private business to be arranged and farewell letters

written to the loved ones at home, for there was too miich uncer-

tainty in the morrow to neglect the fulfilment of any of these little

offices. It was an anxious night, no doubt, to all, and many had

moments of serious reflection. At a late hour major Eogers came

to my tent and announced that he was all ready, and only waited

the hour to have his command under arms. I asked him if he

had "put his house in order." He did not seem to understand mymeaning, and asked me to explain. I replied, in substance, that in

all probability some of us would get our heads knocked off in the

morning, of which number he might be one ; and if he had a;iy

farewells to write to family or friends now was the time to do it, as

the troops would soon be in motion. The explanation seemed to

strike him, and he immediately returned to his quarters.

The written instructions arrived about midnight, and were full

and explicit in every particular. After all my preparations were

completed, I went down to the camp of the 104th to have a last

word with chaplain Gries and other friends, leaving with him my

watch and keys, and gave him some personal directions to be car-

ried out in the event of my not returning alive. The troops were

aroused soon after midnight to prepare for duty. Most of the men

put on the haversack with a few crackers in it, and those who had

before neglected it filled their canteens with water. In a little

while the regiment reported at the point indicated on the beach and

the brigade was formed. It was the first in readiness, and was

obliged to wait a considerable time for the other troops. It

was a bright moonlight morning, with liardly a breath of wind

1 , > OSK HrSDRSD AXD KTRTH

stirrias:. and tte surf beat in gentle murmurs on the sandj shore.

While \rairiEs: with impatience to move forward, an undefined ru-

laor reached iis that a deserter had eome in with intelligence th.it

the fort w;-5 cvr-.-jr.ied : but as it could not be traced to a reliable

source i: was co-::sidered a camp story. It was nearlv 2 o'clock

when we moved up the beach to what everv one believed would be

r. blocsdv morning's work. TTe were halted at the Beacon hov.se.

where all the trooy? r.ssemVled and where they were kept standing

in 'iae some time. The delay pive strength to the rumor of evaowci-

tion. for it could only be espLiined on this ground, as daylight was

rapid'y nppror.oliiag and there was hardly time to get the troops

arranged in the treuehes before it would be light. Presently

geaeril Terry joined us and announced that the fort had been

evacuated between 10 and 11 the night before, and that we were

marehiag to a bhodless victory. Convinced of the hope!essrio*5 of

los^ defence, and knowing that an assault would not be long de-

layed after our trenches were opened to the ditch, the ece:iiy

adopted the prudent course of ev:\cuating. and left the island in

boats firom Cumiuing's point. The information was received with

satiif;\ction, and three thousand heart* beat several pounds lighter.

Had the enemy remaiued r. few hours longer no doubt the whole

garrison would have &Ueu into our hands; but the officers aud

men were willing to forego the pleasure of their capture for the

sake of the valuable lives that were saved. The deserter had come

in and given himself up to the engineers at work in the advance

trenches ; but they received his story with some grains of allow-

ance and approached the work with great caution. There wore

suspicions of a tr;ip of some kind or other. The presence of torpe-

does planted on the slopes rendered it dangerous to travel over

them. The first man to enter the fort was a sergeant of the 39th

Illinois, who. it is s«id. volunteered to go alone aud see if the work

Wis evacuated. Upon his rettirn and announcement that there


was no enemy there, a few troops entered and took undisputed

possession.

After some delay the march was resumed toward the head of the

island, in hope that the rehels had not all succeeded in makiog their

escape, and that we might pick up a few. They took for granted

that we would follow close upon the heels of the retiring garrison,

and before we reached Wagner their batteries upon James' and

Sullivan's island opened with shot and shell. Their range was

excellent, but only a few men were struck. In spite of the good

schooling of the men in this kind of amusement, whenever a large

shell came uncomfortably near, there would be an involuntary bob-

bing of heads. The advance was halted near Gregg, while a small

party was sent forward to reconnoitre the battery and take possession

of it in case it had been evacuated. Before it was light enough for

the enemy to see our troops we returned down the beach, leaving

a small force at each of the works. We were under fire all the

time after we passed the second parallel going up, and until we

reached it returning, yet our casualties were astonishingly few.

On our retui'n, I went into Wagner to take a look at the place

that had lived through so much hammering. Except being knocked

out of all shape, the fort itself was not materially damaged, but every

thing about it that could be injured, was pretty well used up. Several

of the guns were dismounted, and gun-carriages and wagons smashed

to pieces. The commissary store-house was literally reduced to

splinters. Their main reliance, the bomb-proofs, were scarcely in-

jured at all, as the many feet of earth that covered them, and the

double layer of heavy pine log's that supported it, prevented our

shells penetrating. While they kept under cover they were safe from

our projectiles, but the heat must have been almost to suffocation.

The garrison had arranged wires to explode the magazine, and other

infernal contrivances to blow up our men when they should enter

the fort, but they were discovered in time to prevent serious conse-

quences. Near the covered way, on the side toward Gregg, was a


pile of rebel dead, the bodies appearing fo lie as they were thrown

out after being killed. I believe all the bodies had the head oif.

One poor fellow, who had been -wounded three days before, and his

wounds not yet dressed, was found in a bomb-proof. He received

kind treatment at the hands of our men, but died before he could

be taken to the hospital. From the appearance of things, it must

have been'impossible for the garrison to live outside the bomb-proofs

during the bombardment of the last three days. As we marched

down the island from Gregg, it appeared practicable for the iron-

clads to have raked that narrow tongue of land in such manner as

to prevent the escape of the garrison of Wagner. The stench arising

from the fort was very offensive. The troops reached their camps

about sunrise. Thus ended one of the most memorable sieges ever

undertaken on this continent.

In connection with the contemplated assault on Wagner, and in

view of a possibility of the garrison evacuating the fort at the time

of the attack, it was arranged with the boat infantry that they

should endeavor to prevent them leaving the island. In the event

of evacuation, the enenjy would only be able to withdraw by the way

of Cumming's point, and cross the harbor of Charleston in boats.

On the afternoon of the 6th, two hundred men were detailed from

my brigade, of which fifty came from the 104th, under captain

Duncan, and ordered to report to major Sanford, for this service.

They embarked at dark, but they were so much delayed in getting

out of the creek, that they were too late to intercept the retreating

garrison. Several of the boats grounded on account of the low stage

of the water. The boat in which were captain Ferris, Independent

battalion, and captain Duncan, 104th, overtook two of the enemy's

boats in the harbor that had grounded off Cumming's point, and

captured them with the assistance of a navy launch, with a small

howitzer on board. They had a surgeon and fifty-five men on

board. Another boat, in charge of sergeant Carroll, Independent

battalion, gave chase to what turned out to be the launch of the


rebel ram Cliicora, which lie succeeded in capturing under the walls

of Sumter. The crew consisted of an officer and seven sailors. Not

over half a dozen prisoners were captured on the island.

On the 7th, the same day that Wagner fell into our hands, ad-

miral Dahlgren sent a flag of truce to the enemy and demanded the

surrender of fort Sumter. The demand was refused. He then de-

termined to take it by assault, and the next night was the' time fixed

upon. In the mean time he made his preparations. He organized

a force of four hundred sailors and marines from the fleet, which

were placed under the command of commander Thomas H. Stevens,

of the navy. Tlie boats moved up to the attack about 10 o'clock,

p.m., and as soon as they came within range, fire was opened on

them from the fort with small arms, and with shot and shell from

the neighboring batteries. The attempt was of course a failure.

The enemy was expecting the attack and fully prepared to meet it.

They had noticed the assembling of boats in the fleet during the

afternoon, and had good reason to expect the attack that night. Anumber of our men succeeded in landing, and some sealed the walls,

but all were killed or captured. Our loss was about a hundred and

fifty. Lieutenant Harris, who commanded the marines on the oc-

casion, states, in his official report, that he could " see nothing but

the utmost confusion." Had the army and navy made a joint at-

tack after proper arrangements, success would probably have fol-

lowed, for the garrison was strengthened only the afternoon before

to meet this naval attack. General G-illmore would gladly have joined

the admiral in the enterprise, but as he was not consulted on the sub-

ject he had no suggestions to make. He had invited the navy to

join him in his previous night attempt to capture battery Gregg,

but the boat attack on Sumter was a naval aff'air entirely.

On the afternoon of the 7th the monitor Weehawken, returning

from off Cumming's point, whither she ran as soon as the island

was entirely in our possession, grounded opposite fort Moultrie, and

within good range of her guns. During the night every effort to

282 ONE HTJNDRED AND FOURTH

get her off was made in vain. Her coal and most of lier sKot were

taken out but she would not float. When the enemy discovered

her the next morning she was in a critical situation. She was flat

on the bottom, with her overhang nearly out of water. The ene-

my's batteries immediately opened upon her a most tremendous fire.

The other monitors and the Ironsides moved up to her assistance

early, and stood by their consort. This brought on a general en-

gagement between the iron-clad fleet and the Sullivan's island bat-

teries, which was continued several hours. Just such a fight was

never witnessed before, and it was the best fest the mailed vessels

had been put to during the war. The whole army took to the sand

hills and was an anxious and interested spectator of the combat

which was only a couple of miles distant across the outer harbor.

The Weehawken was not idle although she was aground. She

poured her 15 inch shells into fort Moultrie, near which she lay,

with good effect. The second one entered a magazine which blew

up with a loud report, killing and wounding a number of the garri-

son. Several wooden buildings were fired and burned. The Iron-

sides drove the enemy from his guns in Moultrie by the hotness

of her fire, and before the fleet retired nearly all his guns were

silenced. The batteries opened in the morning with about one

hundred pieces. The Weehawken floated off at the turn of the

tide in the evening and returned to her anchorage. She was hit

twenty-four times without being seriously injured, and had only

three men wounded. Had the iron-clads returned to the attack

next morning the island would probably have fallen.


CHAPTER XXII.

New worts built on Morris island.—Amount of work done.—Singular accident.—Lively fire

by the enemy.-First deserters to come in.—Oillmoro promoted.—Attempt to blow upthe Ironsides.—Long island reconnoitred.—Boat nearly swamped.-New batteries

open.—Reconnoissance to Sumter.—Fire opened on Charleston.-A Parrott gun bursts.—Damage done to city.—The monitor Weehawken sinks.-Soldier shot for desertion.—

Christmas gayeties.

N'rO sooner was tte whole of Morris island in our possession than

--1 the engineers commenced to place it in a proper state of de-

fence. The thorough completion of the works projected occupied

the fall and winter, and the men had but little respite from fatigue.

Wagner and Gregg were remodeled and rebuilt and made much strong-

er than before. They were armed with heavy guns. The enemy left

the former in a very filthy condition and several days were occupied in

cleaning out the dirt. This was attended with considerable danger.

Torpedoes and other infernal contrivances had been planted about the

slopes and immediatelyin front of the work, and great care was requir-

ed to avoid stepping on and exploding them. In spite of every precau-

tion several men were killed and wounded by them. A few hun-

dred yards below Cumming's point was erected a scries of gun and

mortar batteries, armed with the heaviest ordnance in service, and

bearing on Moultrie and Sumter. Half a mile above the inlet, a

fort was built on the sand hills and called after colonel Shaw, who

fell in the second assault on Wagner. A battery was constructed

28i ONE HUNDRED AND FOURTH

at Oyster point, called after lieutenant-colonel Purvianee, 85tli Penn-

sylvania, who had been killed by a shell fired from one of our own_guns.

Its guns commanded the water approaches toward Secessionville.

—

Defensive works were erected on the north and south ends of Folly

island, and at Pawnee landing. Ti^'ith the aid of the iron-clads, and

probably without them, these works rendered Blorris island impreg-

nable to any force the enemy could send against us. Our guns at

Cumming's point were within a mile and a half of forts Johnston

and Moultrie, and less than a mile from Sumter. The distance from

Charleston as the bird flies was a trifle more than three miles.

The fatigue and other duties performed by the army during the

active operations against Charleston were enormous and no other

troops worked harder at anytime during the war. My own brigade

may be instanced as a fair average. The greater part of the time

it had less than fourteen hundred men for duty and yet it perform-

ed 27,128 days of fatigue and 46,824 days duty on guard in the

trenches. This does not include permanent details for boat infantry

and many other details made from all the regiments. The 104th did

a full share of both duties. The records for this period give the

regiment a credit of 6,445 days of fatigue on the batteries and

forts, and 14,285 days in the trenches and other military duty at

the front. A tour of duty in the trenches was always twenty-four

hours in length, which makes the number of days double compared

with the fatigue. The greater part of the time the regiment num-

bered less thaa four hundred men for duty. The trenches, paral-

lels, splinter proofs and batteries constructed during the siege

measured nearly eight miles in length.

The night ground was broken for the erection of oue of the bat-

teries between Wagner and Gregg, afterward known as Chatfield, a

singular but fatal accident happened to two of the men on fati"-ue

The detail was in charge of an officer of the 55th Massachusetts

and was divided into two reliefs, which worked alternate half hours.

He suspected that some of the men intended to shirk duty, and after


he had placed the first relief on he walked round to examine. Hefound two men sitting in a large hole made by a shell in the sand

on the edge of the beach. On being questioned they replied that

they belonged to the second relief and would go on duty in a half

hour. He said nothing but walked away, convinced that the menhad told him a lie. After the second relief had been placed on

duty he returned to the beach and found the same men sitting in

the hole in the sand where he had left them. They now answered

that they belonged to the first relief that had just come off duty.

They had not recognized him as the officer in charge of the work-

ing party, for the night was quite dark. Just as he turned to walk

away he observed a mortar shell rise over Moultrie, a mile and a

half distant, which he watched as it circled through the air and de-

scended near him. He returned and found that it had struck and

burst in the hole where the two men were sitting. One was dead

with his head cut off as clean as though done with a knife, and the

other was so badly mangled that he died before he reached the hos-

pital. Their death seemed like the judgment of a just Providence

to punish them for cowardice and lying. The path of duty is the

safest even in time of war.

For several weeks after the fall of "Wagner the enemy kept up a

lively fire on our working parties and men were killed and wounded

daily and nightly. Nevertheless they worked cheerfully and with-

out complaint. At times the accuracy of the enemy's fire was won-

derful when "we consider the distance. In one period of twenty-

four hours, out of two hundred and thirty-five shells fired at Wag-

ner, one hundred and eighty-five burst inside the fort, killing and

wounding sixteen men. Another day one hundred and fifty shells

struck inside the same work. Now, when we consider that the guns

which fired these shells were at the distance of about two miles,

and that the space they were dropped within embraced an area of

less than an acre, we must come to the conclusion that the shoot-

ing was remarkable.


Portions of companies D and F were at tlie front the night of the

21st of September, and while they were off duty, and asleep in the

bomb proof at battery Gregg, a shell from James' island entered the

door and bur^t among the men. Seven were wounded, viz : Lilly,

Hartfelder, Grodshall, Wambold and Miller, of company D, and

Stone and Stevens of company F. The wounds of Lilly, Hartfelder

and Stevens were of a frightful character, and proved mortal. The

latter died the next day, while the two former lived a week. On

the 26th William Gray, of company G, while on fatigue at Gregg,

was slightly wounded by a fragment of a shell.

A party of deserters, the first since the fall of Wagner, came in

and gave themselves up to lieutenant Scarborough, who was on

duty at Cumming's point on the night of the 20th. They stole

the boat of the commanding officer on Sullivan's island and made

their way across the mouth of the harbor to Morris island, without

being discovered either by the rebel or our own picket boats. The

deserters were seven in number. General Gillmore received hia

commission as major general, the promotion for his services on Mor-

ris island, the last of the month. It was the occasion of a grand

parade and review, and rejoicing among the troops. A commission

was never better earned or more worthily bestowed. One officer

and several men were wounded at battery Ghatfield, on the 1st of

October, by splinters of shells thrown from James' and Sullivan's

islands, viz : captain Kephart, corporal Eastburn and privates

Stiner and Titus, of company C, Stroup, company I, and Elf, of

company E. The wound of Eastburn, which was in the arm, was

so severe as to disable him from active service, and he was afterward

transferred to the Invalid corps.

We had an alarm the night of the 5th of October, when all the

troops were turned out under arms. It was caused by the discharge

of musketry among the fleet in the outer harbor. In the mornino-

we learned that an attempt had been made by the enemy to blow up

the Ironsides. About 9 o'clock the olfiosr of the deck saw a small


object on the water approachiag tte vessel, and as it gave no re-

sponse when challenged, the sentinels fired into it. A moment

afterward the vessel received a severe shock, followed by a loud ex-

plosion that threw a column of water on the spar deck and into the

engine room. The object that caused the alarm proved to be a

cigar-shaped torpedo steamer, fifty feet long and five feet beam,

nearly submerged in the water. The explosion threw such a quan-

ty of water on the little vessel that the fires were put out, and it was

supposed she sunk ; but it was afterward learned that she fucoeeded

in getting up steam again and returned to Charleston. The torpe-

do was fastened on a spar which projected from the bow under the

water. She was commanded by lieutenant Glassell, formerly of the

United States Navy. He, together with the fireman and pilot,

jumped overboard and were picked up and made prisoners. The

torpedo was exploded under the Ironsides, but did not damage her

in the least. It made no impression on this monster beyond starting

a beam. The officer in charge of the deck was mortally wounded

and died a few days afterward. To prevent such attacks in the

future spars were rigged around the iron-olads in the water, from

which was hung a strong rope netting that extended several feet

under water and kept down by weights.

To the east of Sullivan's island, on the opposite side of the outer

harbor from Morris, and separated from the former by Breach inlet,

lies Long island, several miles in length, narrow, and partially cov.

sred with timber. It was thought to be a practicable approach to

the enemy's works on Sullivan's island, and at one time the idea

was entertained of making that the basis of operations for a now

attack. The beginning of October general Giilmore thought of land-

ing a force upon the island to hold it for any operations that might

subsequently be determined upon. My brigade was mentioned in

connection with this enterprise. It was afterwards determined to

have only a reconnoissance made to see if a landing might be effect-

ed without the knowledge of the enemy. I was requested to make


the attempt, wticli I did on three occasions. In each instance we

were foiled by the watchfulness of the enemy. Pickets were station-

ed on the shore and armed boats patrolled the water. I was ac-

companied by a party of seven men, three of whom, Overbeck,

Leibler and Hoffman, belonged to my own regiment. Taking a

boat in Light House inlet we pulled out to the fleet when the admi-

ral sent us in a propeller to a gun-boat lying further out. She ran

out over the bar at dark and anchored within a convenient distance

of the shore until the moon went down, when she ran in and the

boats were sent off. The enemy was always on the alert. On one

occasion three men succeeded in landing, but they had hardly step-

ped ashore when a strong picket showed itself, which compelled

them to return to their boat. On these occasions I passed the night

on the gun-boat and was treated with that hospitality and kindness

so characteristic of the navy. When the first attempt was made

our whole party came near meeting a watery grave. It was a windy

afternoon and the surf on the bar at the mouth of Light House inlet

was heavy. In passing through it our boat came within an ace of

going down. For some minutes every wave dashed over us, and

the boat was filled with water almost to the benches. For want of

something better, I used my felt hat to bail out the water. After

struggling for some time in the trough of the sea we succeeded in

passing through the breakers into smoother water. Our escape was

mainly attributable to the strong helmsman and good oarsmen. I

was wet to the skin, and when we reached the admiral's flag-ship

a dry suit of clothes was furnished me by a member of his staff, I

was dressed from tip to toe in naval uniform, which was the only oc-

casion in my life when I felt that I belonged to the naval service.

During the winter a party of deserters, two in number, came in to

Morris island from Mount Pleasant, passing round behind Sullivan's

island and through Breach inlet. They reported to me, and I ob-

tained considerable information from them not before known. Theyhad not encountered any picket boats of the enemy on their way


wliicli led me to believe that that approach was unguarded. I re-

commended that an attempt should be made to capture Sullivan's

island by that route. My plan was to pass through Breach inlet

and back of Sullivan, and land on the peninsula about two miles

above Mount Pleasant, move down the peninsula, surprise the

guns parked in the timber near the village, and fire the bridge that

connected it with Sullivan's island. The plan was thought to be of

too doubtful a character to be entertained. I was afterward told by

a gentleman in the confidence of the enemy, that it was feared an

attack would be made from that quarter, which would probably

have been successful.

Our new batteries, at the head of the island, were so far com-

pleted by the 26th of October as to be ready to open, and on that

day they were tried on Sumter. The fire was continued for several

days. The weight of the projectiles thrown from the 300-pounder

Parrott, mounted in battery Chatfield, in a single day was fifteen

thousand pounds. One shell from this gun broke the iron girder

of a casemate in the fort, which let the arch fall, by which fourteen

men were killed. This fact was stated in the Charleston Mercimj

of 2d of November.

On the 28th of October general Gillmore announced in orders

from department head-quarters that "Medals of Honor, for gallant

and meritorious conduct during the operations before Charleston,

would be awarded to three per cent, of the enlisted men who had

been present in action." The candidates were to be nominated by

the company officers, and the names forwarded through interme-

diate commanders \o post commandants, with remarks of approval

or disapproval. In each instance the particular act of gallantry or

good conduct of the soldier was to be specified. In many instances

it was a difficult matter to determine who was the most deserving

when all had behaved so well. The following are the names of the

men to whom medals were awarded in the 104th, viz:—Commis-

sary-sergeant Halback ; Williams, company A; corporal Stover, com-

19


pany B; Keeler, company C; sergeant Rosenberger, company D;

Farrell, Hargins and Overbeck, company E ; corporal Eastburn

and private Kegan, company F; corporal Gaddis and private Cur-

ly, company G; sergeant Strawbridge and corporal Housum, com-

pany H; corporal Seneca Beal, company I; and corporal Jarrett,

company K. This selection met tbe approval of the enlisted men

of the regiment.

On the night of the 2d of November captain Ferris, commanding

the boat infantry, volunteered to make a reconnoissance to Sumter

to endeavor to learn the condition it was in. It was supposed our

last bombardment had rendered it untenable, and our look-out gave

it as his opinion that the fort had been evacuated. Soon after

dark the captain, in a small boat with two men, pulled over to the

fort and landed with one man at the southwest angle. He climbed

up the battered wall and had got within a few feet of the top, when

the boat was discovered and challenged. The man in it had the

good sense to parley with the sentinel a few minutes, which gave

the captain and the other man time to get down into the boat be-

fore they were fired upon. The report of the gun alarmed the gar-

rison and a number of shots were fired, but only one of the party

was wounded. Our guns at Gregg opened on Sumter and assisted

the boat to make good its retreat.

A few nights afterward general Terry, commanding the forces

on the island, ordered a reconnoissance in force to be made

to the fort. It was commanded by major Conyngham, of the

52d Pennsylvania regiment. The force consisted of two hun-

dred and fifty men with rifles and one Requa battery in charge

of lieutenant Bitting. Of these the 101th furnished fifty men and

lieutenants Laughliu and Scarborough. The instructions were to

make such demonstration against Sumter as to induce the garrison

" to use their musketry fire on the boats," and thus ascertain its

strength; An assault was not to be made upon the fort unless it

was evident that it could be easily taken. The boats lay in one of


the creeks until the moon went down, when they pulled out into

the harbor. Under cover of the darkness they were able to ap-

proach within a few hundred yards of the fort before they were

discovered, when they were fired upon. The garrison appeared to

have been on the watch. This was followed by a shot from a

steamer, probably a ram, that lay behind the angle of the fort to-

ward Charleston, and soon the batteries on James' and Sullivan's

island opened a cross fire on the boats, the shot and shell ricocheting

very lively across the water. The object of the reconnoissance being

accomplished, in developing the probable strength of the garrison,

the boats withdrew with the loss of only three men wounded. The

affair was well managed by the officer in command.

Batteries had been erected with a view of throwing shells into

Charleston, and by the 17th they were so far completed as to enable

us to open fire. That day nineteen shells were thrown into the city

from battery Gregg, and the next day a 100 pounder was opened

from battery Chatfield, which threw fourteen shells into Charleston

before night. From this time forward, during the winter and spring,

the firing was continued with a good deal of regularity. There was

more or less every twenty-four hours. At periods a shell was

dropped into the city every five minutes for several consecutive

nights. The firing was principally done with two 30 pounder Par-

rotts, one of which had hem used through all our operations, and

been fired a great number of times. At the muzzle the rifling was

worn down smooth on the under side. This gun was removed to

Folly island in January, and the firing was continued by its mate.

It was fired at an elevation of forty-two degrees, and the strain upon

it was enormous. Down \o this period a 30 pounder Parrott had

not been known to burst; but this treatment was too much for any

metal to stand, and it gave up the ghost on the 19th of March, at

the 4,615th round. The endurance of this piece was considered re-

markable by the ordnance and artillery officers. The fragments

were very carefully collected and drawings made of them to be


sent to West Point. There were fired from this gun 133,450 pounds

of iron, and it consumed one-sixth as much powder. Down to this

period in the operations against Charleston, twenty-three guns in

all had- burst, one of which was a 300 pounder, five 200, and seven-

teen 100 pounders. In only one instance was injury done to an

artillerist.

Deserters kept us informed, from time to time, of the injury our

shells did to the city. Every body who could get away went into

the country, and only the poorer classes remained in town. They

removed to the upper portion to avoid our shells, leaving that part

below John and Calhoun streets nearly depopulated. A number of

public and private buildings were destroyed, and others damaged.

The Mills house had several shells through it. On Christmas night

a large cotton press was set on fire and burned. The debris from

the ruined buildings obstructed the streets, and by spring this beau-

tiful city wore a very dilapidated appearance. It suffered terribly

for the political crime of its inhabitants. The poor people who re-

mained must have had a hard winter of it. With bacon at four

dollars per pound, corn eighteen to twenty dollars per bushel, and

flour one hundred and fifty dollars a barrel, all prime necessaries of

life, it is a wonder that they lived at all.

Mean while but little of regimental interest transpired. In Oc-

tober the regiment was completely clotied in a new dark-blue uni-

form, with blouses instead of dress coats; and dark-blue jackets and

light-blue caps for the drum corps. The men presented an un-

usually fine appearance, and at a review shortly afterward attracted

the marked attention of the commanding general. On the evening

of the 5th of November, while assistant surgeon McAlear was on

duty at the front, he was thrown from his horse and had his leg

broken. The next day the other assistant. Brush, was sent to saint

Augustine, Florida, to recover from a violent attack of fever. This

left surgeon Robinson without assistance in the medical department.

Captain Marple about this time was detailed as a member of a board


of officers to determine tte case of officers who had overstaid their

leave of absence. He served in this capacity until the 11th cf

February, when he was relieved to take his seat as member of a

general court-martial. The regiment was doing its full share of

duty on all occasions, and participated in all the dangers and fa-

tigues of the operations.

On the 28th I left camp on a visit home, and returned after an

absence of thirty days. I carried with me the regimental flags to

have the names of actions inscribed upon them, which had been

awarded for services in the army of the Potomac in 1862. They

had become so tender from long exposure to the weather, that they

would hardly bear the weight of the inscriptions. In my absence,

major Rogers and the chaplain came north on leave—the former to

recover from illness which detained him two months at home, and

the latter to convey the money of the enlisted men to their families.

The absence of both lieutenant-colonel Hart and major Rogers left

the regiment in command of captain Marple. Greneral G-illmore

had detailed captain Pickering for acting assistant inspector general

of my brigade, in place of captain Hennessey, who had been placed

in command of the boat infantry at his own request. New tents

had been drawn, and the location of the camp changed from the

beach to behind the sand-hills, where it was better protected from

the cold east winds.

After long delay the drafted recruits assigned to the regiment

began to arrive at camp. The first batch, thirty-five in number un-

der lieutenant Hibbs, arrived on the 2d of December and were at

once placed under instruction. Tl^e order from the war depart-

ment authorizing the re-enlistment of men who had less than one

year to serve, was promulgated some weeks before this time, but

only a few recruits were obtained. With a view of a more active

enlistment of veterans, a recruiting office;- was appointed for each

regiment which had served over two years. Captain Swartzlander

was selected for the 104th. The time of re-enlistment was first ex-


tended to the 1st of January and then to the 1st of March. One

hundred and ten of the old men re-enlisted for another term of

three years, and were re mustered into the service on the 23d of

March.

On the 6th of December a sad calamity happened to one of the

monitors lying at her anchorage off Morris island. The Wehawken

foundered in a gale within a few hundred yards of the shore, in

full view from the camps, carrying down to a watery grave twenty

petty officers and seamen. All the efforts made to save them were

in vain. The cause of her sinking was never ascertained to en-

tire satisfaction, but it is supposed to have been caused by the

water running i'n at the forward hatch and filling the compartments

below before the pumps could be set going. This was the first se-

vere gale of the season, and considerable injury was done to the

eastern bastion of Wagner.

On the 16th of December a private of the 3d New Hampshire

was shot for desertion. He had lately joined the regiment as a

drafted recruit. He attempted to escape across the marshes to

ths enemy on James' island, but not being able to get over he re-

entered our lines and gave himself up as a deserter from him.

On his being taken to the Provost guard-house he was recognized

by a member of his regiment on duty there and the trick exposed.

He was tried and sentenced to be shot, which was done in the

presence of all the troops on the island. One other man attempted

to desert during the winter, but he perished in the marshes from

the effects of the severe cold weather, where his body was found.

He had tied empty canteens on his breast to buoy him up while

crossing the creeks, and fastened strips of boards to his arms and

legs to prevent his body sinking in the mud as he crossed the

marshes.

Christmas eve was the occasion of much gayety at Hilton Head.

The officers of the post gave a grand military ball, which was held

in the large building on the beach used for department head-quar-


ters. The numerous rooms were tastefully decorated and a large

and gallant company assembled. Seventy ladies graced the scene.

As all the officers could not be allowed to leave their commands in

presence of the enemy, each brigade in front of Charleston was au-

thorized to send three representatives* Surgeon Robinson and

captain Pickering represented my command. The ball was con-

sidered a very fine affair in army circles.

The enemy gave us another kind of a ball in the Stono river, at

which the navy was present without cards of invitation. On

Christmas he brought down four guns to Legareville, and at day-

light the next morning opened on the gunboats Pawnee and Mar-

blehead, lying at anchor in the river. There was a brisk cannonade

for a couple of hours, when he was driven off with the loss of three

guns. A few men were killed and wounded and the vessels were

slightly damaged.


CHAPTER XXIII.

Opening of new Year.—The troops supplied with wood.—Deserters come in.—Recruits

arrive.—Regiment filled up.—Wagner completed.—Colonel Davis placed iu command of

Morris island.—Garrison reduced.—Sliakspeare reading.—Blockade runner destroyed.

—

Attempt to cut off relief for Sumter.—Gun boat Housatonic destroyed by torpedo.—Ex-

pedition to Florida.—Hard work during winter.—Party of citizens desert from Charles-

ton.—Morris island wears away.—Visit by English officers.—A^eterans of 104th go

north.—Put in command of Hilton Head district.

THE new year opened in a state of comparative quiet Jbetween

the opposing forces. The enemy's batteries fired on us very sel-

dom, and our heavy fatigue parties, which were still kept at the front,

day and night, worked in much greater security than before. All

arrangements necessary for the comfort of the troops during the

winter were nuide in season. The army was put to great inconve-

nience to obtain a supply of fuel, which was limited in quantity. It

will be remembered that Morris island is only a sand bank, entirely

destitute of timber, so that all the fuel required had to be transport-

ed from neighboring islands. During the siege operations of the

summer and fall the supply on Folly island had been pretty well ex-

hausted, and we had now to look to other points. The business of

supplying the garrison during the winter was intrusted to my bri-

gade quartermaster, lieutenant Weidensaul, 52nd Pennsylvania regi-

ment. He found a well-wooded little island down Polly river, about

eight miles from Morris island. A wood-chopping party of three


companies was detailed, which encamped on the island, with teams

to haul the wood to the landing. It was then brought up the river

into the inlet, in light draft steamboats, and delivered at our wharf.

This supply gave, out before spring, when the chopping party

was moved down the Stono river five miles further to another

island. The allowance to each regiment was two wagon loads a day,

a supply so limited that it created the necessity for the greatest

economy. At no time was there enough to build up the old-fash-

ioned camp fires, which soldiers so much delight in on a cold

night; around which they congregate to relate their "hair-breadth

scapes by flood and field," and fight their battles o'er again.

On the morning of the 7th of January seven deserters from the

enemy came in. They belonged to the receiving ship in the harbor

of Charleston. Five of them landed on the beach just below Wag-

ner. The other two formed part of a boat's crew that was on duty

in the harbor. During a heavy rain storm the middle and five of

the men went ashore at fort Johnson, leaving the other two in

charge of the boat. Seeing this was their opportunity to come into

our lines, they pulled for Cumming's point. They got lost in the

darkness and were obliged to lay to all night in the mouth of a creek.

When day-light came to their assistance they pulled down to fort

Greo-g and landed. They brought with them the arms, lanterns

and glasses belonging to the crew. They surrendered to an officer

of the 104th on duty there at the time. Being sailors they were

turned over to the custody of the admiral. A few days before, one

of the spies of general Gillmore was caught on James' island, but

we never heard what disposition was made of him. On the after-

noon of the 10th a new 30 pounder Parrott battery was tried upon

Charleston and a few shells thrown into the city.

The remainder of the conscripts and substitutes for the 104th

arrived in camp on' the 16th instant, 289 in number, under com-

mand of lieutenant colonel Hart. They were immediately assigned

to companies and placed under military instfuetion. As a whole


they were a rcspaotable body of men, as mueli so as could be obtain-

ed in this manner. The officers had considerable difficulty with a

few of them on the passage down. Sixteen escaped from the cars

between Philadelphia and New York and were- not apprehended.

One concealed himself on board the steamer and could not be found.

Another was shot by an officer on the vessel, through mistake, it is

alleged, on the way down, who was left in the hospital at Hilton

Head, where he died in March. Before they left Philadelphia the

commanding officer at the draft rendezvous placed eight thousand

dollars in colonel Hart's hands belonging to the substitutes, which

was paid to them after their arrival on Morris' island. The colonel

was sick when he arrived. He had been relieved from duty in

Philadelphia in December, by order of the secretary of war, but it

was so near the time the recruits would leave that he was detained

to come down in command. The remainder of the officers and men

detailed for this duty, who had not rejoined the regiment before,

came down with the detachment. In filling up the regiment the

strength of the companies was equalized. This raised it to almost

the maximum number. After the men were assigned to companies

there was a good deal of trading among the captains who wished to

get rid of bid men and receive good ones in their stead. It is told

that one company commander took considerable pains with a lout of

a fellow whom he wished to trade, to make him appear to good ad-

vantage. He was taken out behind the camp and drilled privately,

and was provided with a shirt-collar to give him a more youthful ap-

pearance. The trade was made about twilight when the defects of

the man cr uld not be so readily seen.

Fort Wagner was finished about the middle of the month and

turned over to a garrison commander, captain StrahaUj a gallant

officer of the 3d Rhode Island artillery, who retained the command

during the winter. The raising of the stars and stripes over the fort

was madi the occasion of a jollification, accompanied by music and

a salute from the big guns. The head-quarters of the departmen


were removed about this time from Folly island to Hilton Head.

Before his departure general Gillmore had formed what was called

the Northern District, composed of all the points and islands on

the coast held by our troops from Charleston harbor down to St.

Helena sound. Brigadier-general Terry was appointed to this com-

mand, with his head-quarters on Folly island. This change left me the

senior officer on Morris island and I was placed in command of the

troops there on the 17th of January. The garrison at that time

consisted of three brigades of infantry, two white and one negro,

and some artillery and engineers, with nearly one hundred guns in

position. I moved down to the old post head-quarters on the lower

part of the island, turning the command of my brigade over to col-

onel Hoyt, 52d regiment. Lieutenant McCoy went with me as

acting assistant adj utant general, the duties of which he discharged

until the return of major Rogers from sick leave, in February

who was then appointed to the place. The former remained on

the post staff as A. D. C. At a later period, when general Terry

called home the balance of his staff^ other appointments wore made

at post head-quarters to fill their vacancies. Drummer Johnson, of

company D, and private Campbell were detailed as clerks in the ad-

jutant general's office.

The last of the month the garrison was reduced by sending the

negro brigade to Hilton Head; and two white regiments were with-

drawn in February. This reduced the strength to some five thou-

sand men, force enough to hold the island and carry on the operations-

On the 30th of January we had three more deserters from the

enemy to come in. They made their way from James' island across

the intervening swamps and creeks, wading the former and swim-

ming the latter. They were nearly exhausted when they reached

our lines. They told the same story that we received from all de-

serters, of great sufiering in the Confederacy and disgust with the

war. They expected, however, they were called upon to say some-

thing that would be pleasing to their captors. On the evening of

300 ONE HUNDRED AND FOTJETH

27tb tile dull routine of siege operations and garrison life was en-

livened by a literary entertainment of no mean merit. Chaplain

Hudson, of the New York Volunteer engineer regiment, was invited

to come over from Folly island, where he was quartered, and lec-

ture on the Othello of Shakspeare before the officers. The lecture

was delivered in the ordnance building before a large and appre-

ciative audience. The 4th New Hampshire band was present and

played several delightful tunes. Other lectures of a kindred char-

acter would have followed, but the chaplain soon afterward changed

his quarters to Hilton Head.

Occasionally during the winter a blockade runner succeeded in

running the gauntlet of our fleet and getting into Charleston; and

occasionally one ran out to sea. On the night of the 1st of Feb-

ruary an English steamer attempted to run in. She succeeded in

passing through the entire fleet in the fog that prevailed, but ran

aground on a bar near Sullivan's island, abreast of fort Moultrie.

She was discovered at daylight when our batteries at the head of

Morris island opened upon her. Between 8 and 9 o'clock two

monitors moved and opened fire also. The fire was continued

until she was destroyed. Our shore batteries threw at her seven

hundred and sixty-nine projectiles, ranging in size from a 30 to a

300 pounder. The greatest distance thrown was 3,600 yards, from

Wagner. The enemy's batteries opened on us in return and wound-

ed two artillerymen. The vessel was a Clyde steamer^ side-wheeler,

long and low, called the Presto. She was from Nassau, loaded with

blankets, salt beef and shoes. I was afterwards informed by de-

serters that the rebel soldiers on Sullivan's island got at the whiskey

in the steamer, and that nearly the whole garrison was drunk the

next day after she grounded.

Now and then the enemy would open upon us without any pro-

vocation whatever. Such was the case on the 12th, when all their

batteries on Sullivan and James' islands opened a most furi-

ous cannonade, which continued several hours. They threw more

than four hundred shells, but not a man of ours was injured.


•

During tlie winter several hundred re-enlisted men returned home

from the command to spend their veteran furlough. The absence

of colonel Hoyt, of the 52d, left my old brigade in command of

lieutenant-colonel Hart for four or five weeks. Mean time the

104th was commanded by captains Harvey and Corcoran. The

men of the regiment assisted chaplain Gries to erect a rude

' Bethel," or place for religious worship and other kindred pur-

poses within the limits of the camp. It was built on poles and

covered with an old paulin ; a high sand-bank protected it from

the east winds. It was provided with a rough desk for the speaker

and seats for the congregation. A lyoeum was organized under the

supervision of the chaplain, and after evening prayer-meeting some

time was spent in the discussion of questions, reading essays, &c.

Some of the exercises would have done credit to a more pretentious

assemblage.

On the night of the 2d of February an attempt was made to in-

tercept and cut off the relief for the garrison of Sumter. Deserters

who had recently come in gave information that the enemy was in

the habit of relieving the garrison every twelfth night. They em-

barked in boats at the wharf at fort Johnson and pulled across the

harbor under cover of the darkness. According to our calcu-

lation the time for the garrison to be changed fell on the night of

the 2d instant. The attempt was made in conjunction with a party

from the fleet. Our boats were on the line between Johnson and

Sumter soon after dark and watched until near daylight, but nothing

whatever was seen. It may have been that the relief passed over

before our boats took up their position, or that the enemy saw some

movement on our side that put him on his guard. I do not think

we were mistaken in the information received.

Next to the foundering of the Wehawken, the destruction of

the steam gun-boat Housatonic was the most unfortunate occur-

rence of the winter. On the night of the 17th of February she

was blown up at her anchorage by a torpedo sent down from Charles-


•

ton. It was attached to a small cigar-shaped boat, nearly submerged

in water and propelled by steam similar to the on^ that struck the

Ironsides. It was seen to approach, but could not be kept off.

—

The steamer was struck in the stern; there was a dull report, when

her bottom literally dropped out and she sank in twenty-eight feet

of water. The captain was thrown several feet into the air by the

concussion, and was considerably injured. Three lives were lost.

The tenacity with which the enemy held on to Sumter was won-

derful. In the interval of our firing he was constantly engaged in

repairing damages and clearing away the rubbish from the battered

walls. He erected new bomb-proofs made of heavy frames of tim-

ber, covered with several feet of sand and debris. On the top of

these were mounted four brass guns to use against an assaulting

party, while in the lower tier of casemates, on the channel face,

were mounted four 10 inch Colunibiads. We could plainly see the

men at work during the day, and at night the boat infantry could

hear them actively engaged. Before spring the ruins of Sumter

had been converted in a strong defensive work, probably stronger

than ever before for this purpose. He was constantly adding to

the strength of all the forts and batteries that encircled the har-

bor. Two men were kept daily in the tower on the Beacon house

with a powerful glass to observe any thing that was going on around.

At evening they reported at head-quarters all the movements that

had been seen within the enemy's lines during the day. If a bat-

tery was strengthened or a new gun mounted, it was known at post

head-quarters before we retired for the night. We were near enouf>'h

Charleston to tell the time of day by their clocks on the church

steeples, and people could be seen walking in the streets. The

workmen on a new iron-clad at the wharf were plainly to be seen

with a glass.

The only offensive movement undertaken in the department dur-

ing the winter was the expedition into Florida in February which

culminated so unfortunately for our army at Olustee. It was


charged at tlio time that it was put on foot for political purposes,

and was never satisfactorily denied. If such was the "case, it is an-

other instance where disaster follows the attempts of politicians to

manipulate armies in the field. Immediately after the defeat at

Olustee two brigades were sent down from Folly island to re-enforce

Seymour. In conjunction with his movements a reconnoissance in

force was made on Kiowah and John's islands to distract the at-

tention of the enemy. On the 8th of March general Terry sent a

thousand men up to Bull's bay for the same purpose. The weather

was very stormy and but few were landed. I furnished one

half the force from my command, of which the 104th supplied one

hundred and fifty men, under command of captain Groff and lieu-

tenants Grlase and Tyson. The enemy understood these demonstra-

tions and paid but little attention to them.

No portion of the army during that winter performed more labor

than the troops stationed on Morris island. The force was inade-

quate to the duty to be done, and it was of that kind from which no

glory could be gained. After the re-enlisted veterans had gone

home and the other regiments left that had been ordered away, the

garrison was reduced to less than fifteen hundred men for duty, one

half of which were conscripts and substitutes lately arrived. Five

hundred men were sent to the front every night, which with the

usual camp guard and other nepessary details placed about one half

the entire garrison on duty at a time. Often the same men went to the

front two nights in succession. Then the fatigue duty was still very

heavy, and the men seemed to be constantly changing from the

rifle to the shovel all winter. Several hundred were still daily em-

ployed on the fortifications. On the 9th of March adjutant Wal-

lazz, sergeants Mellis, Rohr and Cromme, and corporal Jarrett, left

the regiment under orders to report for duty at the draft rendezvous

at Philadelphia. The detail was made by direction of the secretary

of war. On the 12th captain Pickering was appointed inspector

for Morris island, by general Gillmore. In consequence he was


relieved from duty at brigade head-quarters and became a member

of the staff of the post commander. After the 3rd New Hampshire

left the island, a detail for mounted orderlies, was made on the

104th. For this purpose the regimental commander furnished

privates McCall, Oliver, Edwards, Thomas, Wannop, Eastburn and

Probst. They were placed in charge of corporal Kice, a neat and

reliable soldier of company K. They continued on this duty while

we remained on the island, and discharged it with great fidelity.

We were remarkably free from casualties during the winter, not-

withstanding the firing at times was very heavy between the bat-

teries. One case of killing, that of an artilleryman at battery

Grregg, was very unusaal. He was- standing at his gun during the

interchange of shots wtth some of the enemy's batteries on Sulli-

van's island. A shell buried itself in the sand under his feet and

he was tripped up. He fell across the spot the moment it exploded

and was blown to pieces. Some of his members were never found.

Occasionally there was a narrow escape. One evening major Ames

chief of artillery, rode to the front to learn the cause of the sudden

opening of the enemy's batteries. He had barely dismounted at

battery Gregg when a fragment of shell struck his horse in the

neck and killed him instantly. Another artilleryman was killed in

this wise. He took cover from a shell from Moultrie in a splinter

proof that was open to the rear. It burst behind his shelter several

yards in the air, and according to the law of projectiles the frag-

ments should have continued on their course. They all did but

one, which turned back, Boomarang fashion, flew straight into his

place of concealment and killed him on the spot.

On the night of the 10th of March a party of eight citizens came

down from Charleston and landed on Morris island. The leader of

the party had charge of the lines of military telegraph around the

city and five of those who came with him were his boat's crew. Hebrought with him one soldier, his assistant. The night was so in-

tensely dark that they were not intercepted by the picket boats of

either army.


Since we landed on the island in July, 1863, tlie enoroacTiment

of th.e sea was quite evident to every one. By April, 1864, the

high water line at the south end was at least two hundred feet fur-

ther landward than it was nine months hefore. The sand ridge on

which the head-quarter tents were pitched at the first landing had

long since heen swallowed up by the sea and was now covered by sev-

eral feet of water. Major Brooks, engineer officer on the staff of gen-

eral Gillmore, told me that during the period of fifty days in the early

part of the siege the sea had encroached that number of feet on the

island. When the coast-survey officers surveyed the island in 1849

they had a station on a sand hill about two hundred and fifty feet

seaward from where Wagner now stood, and which must now have

been covered by ten or fifteen feet of water at low tide. At this

rate it cannot be many years before the island will be swallowed up

by the sea, unless the tidal waves shall change their vocation and

form a new sand ridge on the beach.

The troops managed to pass the winter in comparative comfort.

The camps were in part shielded from the cold winds by the sand-

hills behind which the tents were pitched. The government refused

to furnish lumber to the men to floor their tents, but many of them

picked up enough pieces of boards and parts of cracker-boxes to use

instead. Some raised their tents from the sand, while others ex-

cavated the ground inside to the depth of a couple of feet, making

a pretty good basement to their canvas homes. It was quite a pro-

tection in time of high wind. A few of the tents had fire-places,

built of old bricks taken from the ruins of the lighthouse, and most

of them were provided with doors. The commissioned officers were

dealt with more generously. They were provided with lumber,

both to frame and floor their tents, and each one had a fire-

place or stove. There was not a chimney on the island that did

not do some terribly tall smoking during the winter at some stage

of the wind. Rations were abundant and good, and there was a

plentiful supply of clothing. The weather was not unpleasant, ex-

20


cept when the high east winds prevailed. Some of the time it was

warm and pleasant. The equinoctial storm, which was the heaviest

of the season, continued more than two weeks. In this time the

sea encroached upon the island twenty feet.

During the winter several subalterns were raised a grade, which

made room for the promotion of a number of worthy non-commis-

sioned officers. Among these were sergeants Tyson, Shaifer, Glase

and Williams to be first lieutenants, and sergeants Craven, Widdi-

field, Heckler, O'Connell, Fox, Wiatt and Michener to be second

lieutenants. Sergeant Kosenberger, of company D, was also pro-

moted, and received his commission, but there was so much delay

in its coming, that he declined to receive it, on the ground that

his enlistment was too near out, to enter upon another term of three

years. Sergeant Tomlinson, of company E, who had been discharged

during the winter on account of disability, also received the com-

mission of second lieutenant, but he was not able to rejoin the regi-

ment. The promotion of Tyson made a vacancy in the warrant of

sergeant-major, which was given to sergeant Johnson, of company E.

On the 1st of April Morris island was visited by lieutenant-colonel

G-alway and captain Alderson, of the British army, and captain

Goodnough, of the Koyal navy, who came down, by permission of

the secretary of war, to take a look at the siege operations. As they

came accredited to me by both generals G-illmore and Terry, it be-

came my duty to extend to them what little hospitality the post af-

forded. They were taken to the front in an ambulance, and had

explained to them all the operations which led to the fall of Wagner.

From the top of the bomb-proof they looked across to the battered

walls of Sumter, and had pointed out to them the batteries that bore

on Charleston, and the enemy's works contiguous. Mean while the

cooks at head-quarters had been put at work, and by the time we

returned, a state dinner was prepared, where additional welcome was

given to our English cousins over the smoking platter and the flow-

ing bowl. They expressed themselves delighted with their reception


and treatment, as well they miglit, for they not only received the

best edibles and drinkables the island possessed, but we also gave

them our best manners.

The veterans of the 104th, one hundred and ten in number, left

Morris island for home, on the 10th, in command of captain Marple.

About this tim-e the garrison was further reduced by the withdrawal

of the 9th Maine and the 100th New York, which left with me only

the 52d and 104th regiments, and some artillery, a force entirely

inadequate to hold the island, should an attack be made upon it

in force. These two regiments received orders to be ready to em-

bark at a moment's notice, but they did not leave for a couple of

days. The post was re-enforced by the arrival of the 54th Massa-

chusetts, a negro regiment. This movement of troops was made in

obedience to orders from Washington. General Gillmore, with the

10th corps, had been ordered to re-enforce the army of the James,

under Butler, then about to operate against Kichmond. It con-

sisted of three divisions, and numbered about 18,000 men. They

had all been drawn from the department of the South, which was

weakened in troops to this extent. Captain Harvey was appointed

provost marshal of the island, and lieutenant O'Connell post com-

missary of subsistence, to replace offiSers who had left with the

troops going north. On the afternoon of the 13th, with my staff

and band, I visited the Wabash, the flag-ship of the South Atlantic

blockading squadron, to pay my respects to the commodore and

other officers of my acquaintance. Just before dinner was ready to

be served up, I was called ashore by a telegram to execute an order

received from department head-quarters. The rest of the party re-

mained aboard, and were detained all night by a violent storm that

arose. The withdrawal of so many troops was evidence of itself that

active operations in that section would be mainly suspended the

coming summer, which subsequent events proved to be the case.

On the 20th of April I received an order from general Gillmore

308 ONE HUNDRED AND F01JE.TH

to turn over the command of Morris island to the officer next in

rank and report immediately at department head-quarters. At the

same time the 52d and 104th regiments were ordered to Hilton

Head. The command of the post was turned over to colonel Hal-

lowell, 54th Massachusetts, and the same afternoon I embarked on

a steamer awaiting me at the south end of Folly island. I arrived at

Hilton Head the next morning. On reporting at headquarters I

was directed to relieve colonel Howell, 85th Pennsylvania, in the

command of the Middle district, extending along the coast from

Saint Helena sound to the mouth of Savannah river, and embrac-

ing the important coast islands of Saint Helena, Hilton Head, and

Tybee, with fort Pulaski. The 52d and 104th arrived two days

afterward. I spent three days in traversing the district and be-

coming acquainted with the location of the troops and the points to

be defended, and on the 26tli I took formal command. The dis.

posable force at my command was about 2,500 men, with three

small armed vessels to patrol the waters under ensign Cecil C. JSfeiL

II. S. Navy. My old brigade was now divided. It was to have gone

north with the 10th corps, but at the solicitation of general Hatch,

who succeeded to the command of the department, the 52d and

104th were detained, with orders to follow as stfon as they could be

spared. But that time never came and the old brigade was never

again united. General Gillmore's whole force had sailed for Virginia

by the 1st of May, and on that day himself and staff em-

barked on the steamer Arago for Fortress Monroe. The force

left in the department numbered some 16,000 men, more than

the general found there when he took command ten months

before. It was ample for defensive purposes, but the troops

were too much scattered to attempt any very important offensive

operations.

While the regiment lay on Morris island, company K did a


generous act. Corporal Chalkley Neeld Lad lately died of con-

sumption, leaving one cliild. When tlie enlisted men of the

company heard of it, they raised one hundred dollars to be

invested for the use of the orphan child of their deceased com

panion.


CHAPTER XXIV.

The new command,—Excursions to Pinckney and Dafuskee islands.—Returns home on

leave.—In command of regiment.—White men detailed to cook for negroes.—Execu-

tion.—In command of new brigade.—Attack on Charleston.—Expedition Bails.—Land

on Seahrook's island.—Cross to John's island.—Surgeon Robinson captured.—Our troops

halt and take position.—Qeneral Hatch comes up.—Colonel Davis wounded.—Taken to

hospital.

MY new command was au honorable one. The district was large

and important; the duties sufficient to keep the mind actively

employed, while pleasant quarters enabled me to live comfortably.

All important points in the district were accessible by water, and

the transports at my command enabled me to pass from one to

another conveniently. The enemy was much in the habit of alarm-

ing our pickets, and a strict watch was kept by land and water to

prevent him entering our lines. Now and then an expedition was

made to beat up the neighboring islands. At daylight on the 5th

of May I landed on Pinckney island with two hundred men of the

52d and 104th and skirmished over it, while the armed transports

shelled the wood. The armed steamer Thomas Poulk entered the

Colleton river and shelled the enemy's pickets on the main land.

One man was left behind, who I believe was recovered a few days

afterward. On the 9th I visited and inspected fort Pulaski anddined with major Bailey, the commandant. The fort bore nu-

merous indications of the severity of the bombardment in March


1862, when it was taken. It had only been partially repaired.

The walls retained the shot and shell holes which, at a distance,

gave it the appearance of being pitted with small-pox. A complete

breach was made in the walls, and when the fort was surrendered

our projectiles were reaching the magazine on the opposite side of

the parade. Our batteries were erected on Tybee island, the near-

est OLe being a mile off. The siege was directed by captain, since

major-general, Gillmore, who first taught the world in these opera-

tions that it was not necessary for American guns to be brought

within six hundred yards of walls of masonry before they could be

battered down. He won promotion and reputation by the skill he

displayed there.

On the 11th, with two hundred men under lieutenant-colonel

Hart of the 104th, I made an expedition to Dafuskee island, which

lay outside our lines. No enemy was to be seen, but about four

thousand pounds of fine sea-island cotton were found and fetched

away. It was turned over to the agent of the treasury department

at Hilton- Head, and I suppose was sold and the proceeds paid to

the government. The island was well skirmished over.

I was absent from the 14th of May to the 3d of June on a visit

home on account of sickness in my family. General William Bir-

ney, who was on his way to Folly island, was placed in temporary

command of my district in my absence. As soon as he was in au-

thority he broke up my brigade organization, which had been

formed by the commanding general of the army, and consolidated

the district and put in one command. Mean while general Foster

had come down to take command of the department, when general

Hatch was assigned to the district. On my return I asked to be

sent back to my regiment, and on the 6th I relieved lieutenant-

colonel Hart, the first time since November, 1861, that I had had

so small a command. I found the regiment much scattered, and

not over a hundred men were in camp subject to my control.

There were large details doing duty as provost, post and dock


guards. Company I was on Saint Helena, G in garrison at fort

Beauregard, Bay point, F on picket at Braddock's point, and part

of company K was stationed at Spanist wells, on Hilton Head

island. Major Rogers, captain Pickering and lieutenant Fretz re-

mained on duty at district head-quarters, lieutenant Shaffer was as-

sistant provost marshal, and lieutenant Wiatt in command of the

dock guard. The two details of post guard were respectively under

the command of captains Groff and Laughlin. For the few days

that I remained in charge of the regiment I enjoyed a sinecure, as

I had neither men to command nor duties to perform. This thing

did not last long, however. In a few days a new brigade was

formed for me, consisting of the 41st and 15Yth New York and my

own regiment.

On my return I found the men of the 104th very much incensed

against general Birney. Soon after he assumed command of the

district he issued an order to compel the negroes to come in from

the neighboring plantations to work on the fortifications being

erected at Hilton Head. At the same time he ordered a detail of

six men from my regiment to cook for these negroes while engaged

in this fatigue duty. They reported at his head-quarters in obedi-

ence to the order, but as the laborers could not be procured there

was nothing for these white men to do in the way of preparing

the meals for their black brothers. This detail was made from a

white regiment at a time two negro regiments were encamped near

where the work was to be done. There could have been no other

motive in this than to degrade the white soldier and insult the

regiment. That these men of the 104th were not obliged to cook

the victuals of the South Carolina negroes was no fault of general

Birney. Is it then a cause of wonder that he was heartily de-

spised by the white troops ?

On the 13th of June the 52d regiment was embarked for Folly

island. That and the 104th had served together since the beginning

of November, 1861, and its removal was the separation of old


friends. In this time many attachments had been formed which

will last as long as the parties live. Side by side the two regiments

had marched, encamped and fought for two years and a half OnSunday, the 19th, a private of the 41st New York was shot for de-

sertion. The execution took place just outside the fortifications,

and in the presence of the whole garrison. The shooting party was

detailed from the 104th. Among the improvements erected at

Hilton Head, since I first saw it in January, 1863, was a theatre,

which was mainly built through the efforts of the officers and men

of the 48th New York regiment. A company, composed mainly of

enlisted men, played there from time to time, to relieve the dulness

of garrison life. The music was furnished by the post band, all its

members being fine performers. These performances were always

well attended. While on duty at this post, the 104th organized a

troupe called the "Star Minstrels, which performed a few times in

the theatre. On the first occasion, the evening of the 21st of June,

the house was much crowded, and the receipts amounted to two

hundred dollars. Just outside the lines was a negro settlement

called Mitchelville, inhabited by several hundred contrabands, and

which had grown up within the last eighteen months. The govern-

ment furnished them with lumber to build houses, and many of

these darkies received rations from the subsistence department.

Hilton Head being the seat of department head-quarters, the pre-

sence of troops on shore, and more or less men-of-war in the harbor,

gave it considerable life and activity. There were always ladies

enough sojourning here to form a pleasant female society. The

post band played several airs every evening on the square, while

regimental or brigade bands played at stated times each day. There

were attractions enough to make it pleasant to civilians who admire

that kind of life. While stationed at Hilton Head, on this occasion,

several of the drafted men and substitutes who had been sailors,

were transferred to the navy by order of the war department.

The latter part of June general Foster received instructions from


Wasliington city to make an attack on Charleston with all his dis-

posable force, as soon as it could be got ready. This movement had

a two-fold object in view—to direct the attention of the enemy from

Sherman, who was marching on Atlanta, aad to prevent re-enforce-

ments being sent from the Southern Atlantic coast to general Lee.

It soon leaked out that active operations were to be renewed, but

we could not learn the destination of the expedition being fitted out.

On the 30th instant I was ordered to hold my brigade in readiness

to embark the next morning at a moment's notice. The 144:th New

York had been assigned to me for this^occasion, instead of the 41st.

The men were to carry three days' cooked rations, and six days of

hard-bread, sugar and coffee were to be carried along in bulk. The

necessary preparations were made immediately, and by the morrow

we were ready to go aboard. I organized a battalion of sharp-

shooters, one hundred and fifty strong, which was placed under the

command of captain Laughlin. The officers and men were to go

in light marching order. The 104th embarked the afternoon of

the 1st of July, on the steamer Cosmopolitan, which also carried

general Foster and staff. The balance of the brigade embarked on

other steamers. Troops were taken from all points along the

coast, wherever they could be spared; and those from all places

south, and from Beaufort, assembled in the harbor of Port Royal.

"We got under weigh about sunset, without knowing our destination.

After running 30 minutes south-east of the light ship, I opened the

secret instructions that had been given me before going on board,

when I found that our place of landing was to be North Edisto, aud

that the point of attack was Charleston.

The attack was to be made by four 'separate columns, moving

from as many points. On the right a thousand men were to be

thrown from Morris island on to the head of James, in boats, to as-

sault fort Johnson. Another column of about 2,500 men, under

general Scbemmelphinneg, were to move up the Stono river, land

on the south end of James' island and attack the enemy's works near


Secessionville. A third column, under general Hatch, composed

of the brigade of general Saxton and my own, was to land on Sea-

brook's island from the North Edisto, thence march across that

and John's island, a;id thus approach Charleston to advantage by

flanking the heavy batteries on James' island. The fourth column,

under general Birney, and composed wholly of negro troops, was to

ascend the Dawhoo in boats to the main land, where it was to dis-

embark and cut the Charleston and Savannah railroad at a point

where it crosses the Rantoul's creek by an important bridge. This

would prevent re-enforcements reaching the enemy from Savannah,

the nearest point whence they could be drawn. This column was

to be accompanied by the engineers who marched prepared to de-

stroy the track of the railroad and blow up the bridges in a very

short time. The whole force was about eight thousand men. The

naval force on that station acted in concert and rendered every pos-

sible assistance. The plan was well conceived, and had the direc-

tions of general Foster been observed and carried out, I believe that

Charleston would have fallen into our hands. As I have chiefly to

do with the column of general Hatch, I will proceed to narrate its

operations.

His division was about three thousand strong, of which two were

regiments of negro troops of Saxton's brigade. We made the Edis-

to bar about 2 o'clock a. m., on the 2nd of July, but as we could

not find the buoy in the dark, were obliged to lay to until it was

light enough to see to run in. I commenced disembarking my men

at 5i o'clock and in an hour all were on shore. The 144th New

York, colonel Slidell, was sent forward four miles to seize the bridge

at Haulover cut, which separates Seabrook's island from John's.

I followed him shortly afterward with the balance of the brigade.

He found that the bridge had been burned some time before, and as

the water was deep when the tide was in it, it had to be rebuilt before

wagons and artillery could pass over. Lieutenant Lehnen, quarter-

master of the 104th, with the regimental pioneers, was assigned to

316 ONE HUNDEEB AND TOUETHJ

this duty. In two hours a bridge was completed, sixty two feet

span and strong enough to bear artillery and cavalry. The brigade

biyouacked on John'is island, with pickets well thrown out. The

mounted scouts of the enemy were in sight, who watched all our

movements closely. Before dark a squadron of the 4th Massachu-

setts cavalry reported to me and bivouacked with us. General

Hatch joined us the next morning and assumed command of the

column. The two negro regiments of Saxton's brigade, the 9th and

26th, came up during the night, while the remaining regiment, the

56th New York and the battery, which had been delayed by their

steamer grounding on Port Royal bar, joined us the morning of

the 3rd, just before we marched.

My brigade marched at 8 o'clock, a. m. After marching four

miles the column was halted, to await the coming up of Saxton's

brigade. The point was Parker's, near a large white farm house.

The infantry was formed in line of battle on each side of the road,

with a piece of artillery unlimbered in the road. The island here-

abouts was heavily timbered, with some cleared fields in front. Close

to where we bivouacked a road turns off that leads down to the

Sfcono river. Soon after we halted an officer reported that there was

a re-enforcement of four pieces of artillery, thirty cavalry, and two

hundred infantry within four miles, on the Stono road, which had

been sent from general Schemmelphennig's column. They were

ordered to report to me. They were not able to unite with us, how-

ever, until the next day. The artillery had been sent back to the

Stono to get forage for the horses, as they had had none for two

days, and we had not a pound to spare them. Toward evening I

sent a small party of cavalry to the front to reconnoitre the country,

which advanced up the main road three miles. Here they found a

force of the enemy's infantry deployed in a wood, and as they had

no orders to engage him, they returned to camp and reported.

Saxton's brigade arrived at sunset. As the day was now spent, and

the country and force in our front entirely unknown, general Hatch


determined to pass tte night here. Pickets were thrown out on all

sides, and the men lay down to sleep, in line of battle, with their

equipments on, and their arms by their sides.

The night passed away quietly. The troops were astir before

daylight preparing for an early march. It was resumed at 5 o'clock.

It had been the original intention of general Hatch to contine on

the main road until we struck the Wadmelaw, when turning to the

right, march up the island, with our left flank covered by that river.

But there was now reason to change our direction. Since we had

disembarked, the base of supplies had been transferred from the

North Edisto to the Stono, and by continuing on the road we were

then on, we would have left our rear exposed and given the enemy

an opportunity to cut ofi" our retreat to our transports. Our situa-

tion became apparent on examining the map, and it was resolved to

change our route by making a flank march from our then position

so as to strike the Stono, and thence march direct on Charleston.

The order to march to the front was countermanded, and I was di-

rected to lead the column to the right.

This was the 4th of July, and the day was inteasely hot. I do

not remember to have marched a hotter day during my service, not

even in Mexico. The road on either side was hedged in with

bushes or wood, and as there was not a breath of air to carry off the

dust raised by the column, it settled down upon and completely

enveloped the troops. This march, short as it was, was a good trial

of the endurance of the two races. While all the troops suffered

o-reatly, the two negro regiments suffered much more than the

white ones. The poor blacks dropped down by scores from exhaus-

tion and heat of the sun, and could not stand, in their native clime,

the same amount of fatigue as white men. The march was not

more than six miles, and yet the two negro regiments did not reach

our bivouiie with one third their numbers. We halted about 9

o'clock on a plantation at the head of the road which comes up

from Legareville. Here we met the re-enforcements from the co-

318 ONE HTINDRED AND FOURTH

lumn of general Schemmelptennig. My little battalion of sharp-

shooters did excellent service. They led the column and skir-

mished over the country on both flanks for some distance. With

such troops in advance it was impossible to be surprised.

We were unfortunate in losing surgeon Bobinson, who was cap-

tured by the enemy. He was not informed of the change in the

route, which was determined on but a short time before the column

took up the march. On my return from the quarters of general

Hatch I stopped at the doctor's bivouac to explain to him the

change of direction; but I was not able to see him, as he was out

among the troops treating them to their quinine and whiskey.

—

Captain Corcoran had been on picket with his company over night

angl his men had not finished their breakfast when the column

marched. He was directed to follow as soon as ready and overtake

us. He did not observe that we turned short to the right soon after

we left the bivouac, and when he came to march he continued on

the main road up the island. Dr. Robinson, who had been detained

with the sick, accompanied him. After going about two miles the

captain was convinced that he had missed tbe road and halted his

company. The doctor feeling certain that the column was not far

ahead said he would ride on, overtake it, and have it to halt for

him to come up. He had ridden but a short distance when he saw

two horsemen ahead, whom he Supposed to be our videts. When he

overtook them, in the edge of the timber, they presented their rifles

and ordered him to dismount and approach. As he drew near he

saw the Confederate gray, and found himself a prisoner of war in

the hands of the Stono rangers. He was carried to the command-

ing officer, major Walker, thence to the head-quarters of the dis-

trict, whence he was taken to Charleston and confined in the jail

with a number of other prisoners. He was kept a prisoner

about three months, when he was unconditionally released. Hespeaks of the treatment of the enemy as universally kind and re-

spectful. At the time of his capture the doctor was riding what


was known in the regiments as "Fred's mule." This was a splen-

did little animal that private Lefler had found in a dying condition

on Folly island, the year before, and which he had taken care of

and cured. As he was the mail boy of the brigade the mule did

considerable service, and the men had become much attached to

him. It is said that when some one informed him of the capture of

the doctor, Lefler said, "What do I care for doctor Kobinson?

Hav'nt I lost my mule ?"

Captain Corcoran marched no further on that road, as he was

convinced the troops had not passed that way. Soon the shirmish-

ers of the enemy appeared in his front and engaged him. He sent

a man to hunt the column while he fell back gradually, driving

in the enemy as he retired. A force was sent back to relieve

him, with an ambulance to bring in the broken down men. They

reached our camp with the rear-guard without any loss. "We saw

a few of the enemy's videts, who succeeded in wounding one of our

cavalrymen in the ankle. We remained at this bivouac all night.

In the afternoon wo had a heavy shower of rain which cooled the

atmosphere and made the heat much more bearable. The surgeons

prepared soup for the whole command, from desiccated vegetables,

and each officer and man was served with a tin-cup full. It did

much toward recovering the troops from the effects of the heat and

fatigue.

We resumed the march on the morning of the 5th, my brigade

leading. Before we left camp the sick, of which there was a con-

siderable number, were sent in ambulances down to the Stono to be

shipped for Hilton Haad. General Hatch and staff marched with

the second brigade. I was directed to advance to a certain swamp,

which the road crossed on a bridge, six or eight miles in front, where

I was to halt and await further orders. I reached this point, which

we learned was afterward called the " Huts," about 8 o'clock, a. m.

Nearly the whole distance lay through a timbered country, traversed

now and then by a swamp. We saw no enemy until We approached


our destination, when our cavalry came upon two mounted videts

on the bridge, who scampered off under a volley of rifles. Here I

halted my command. I secured the crossing and then sent a party

of cavalrymen and sharp-shooters to take possession of the timber

and open country half a mile in our front. Here the picket line

was established, and until other arrangements could be made its se-

curity was intrusted to captain Laughlin and his trusty corps of

sharp-shooters. Two pieces of artillery were placed in position at

the bridge to command the approaches to it and the crossing, one in

the field and the other in the road. A guard, in addition, was sta-

tioned there, while the balance of the command was a few hundred

yards to the rear.

In the afternoon a force of the enemy, estimated at one hundred

and fifty or two hundred, was seen advancing across the fields in

our front. I sent out captain Laughlin with his sharp-shooters to

meet them ; who drove them back and established his lines on the

ground they had occupied. Towards evening I caused some rifle-

pits to be thrown up to protect our position and pickets were thrown

out in every direction, and the men were ordered to bivouac in line

of battle with their equipments on. General Saxton's brigade joined

us about dark. On his way up he had left six companies of ne-

gro troops at a point where a by-road comes into the main one, to

prevent the enemy getting into our rear. In the afternoon they

were attacked by some infantry, with a piece of artillery, driven

back toward Legareville and cut off from the main body. When

this was known, general Saxton was ordered back to their relief.

Mean while the enemy had retired and we did not have an oppor-

tunity to engage him. The detatchment had a few men killed and

wounded. He did not reach the front again until the next fore-

noon. General Hatch joined us about dark and took the immedi-

ate command. At different times during the afternoon the enemy

threw shells among us from a field battery a mile in front, and a

few were thrown from some of their flanking batteries on James'


island. Our position was so well concealed by the surrounding

timber that they could only guess at it, and their firing was with

the hope that our guns would reply and expose it. About 9 o'clock

word was brought from the front that the enemy was advancing,

and the proper disposition was made to receive him, but no demon-

stration was made beyond firing a few shots and making consider-

able noise. Head-quarters were moved into an old frame house that

stood near the crossing of the swamp. The night passed without

further disturbance.

The nest morning, the 6th, the enemy opened upon us with a

six, twelve, and twenty-four pounder and shelled us for an hour.

Two men only were wounded. After breakfast, with general Hatch

and stafi", I mounted my horse and rode to the front. I was re-

quested to assist in making a reoonnoissance with the view of the

possible erection of batteries to enfilade those of the enemy on

James' island. When we reached the front, we found he had

brought down a field battery within about half a mile, which was

firing quite briskly. This was an unfortunate morning for me. I

got on an embankment at the side of the road which ran through

our picket line and was examining the battery with a field glass.

One piece was directly in front of me, and I was looking into the

muzzle while the gunners were loading it, I was standing, at the

time, with the left hand resting against a small tree and the body

thrown forward on the right leg. The enemy saw me very distinci^

ly and trained this particular gun on me. I did not notice them

in the act of firing, but hearing a soldier near me call out " cover,"

I drew myself up near the sapling just as the piece was discharged.

It was fortunate that I did, otherwise I had been killed. The shell

exploded a few feet in front, the largest piece burying itself in the

tree, and another fragment passing through my right hand carrying

away the fingers and lacerating the limb. The glass was not in-

jured nor did the shock cause me to let go my hold on it. Imme-

diately afterward the battery commenced to fire canister, which

21


swept our position. I was carried on a stretcher to the head-quar-

ter house where the fragments of the fingers were cut off with

a dull knife in cold hlood, and thence in the same manner two

miles down to the Stono and placed on board the steam boat Peco-

nia. That afternoon the necessary amputations were made by a

surgeon of the navy, assisted by the assistant surgeon of the NewYork volunteer engineers. I was partially under the influence of

chloroform at the time, but nevertheless could hear the bones crack

without feeling any pain. The next day I was sent to Beaufort in

the revenue cutter Omaha, and placed in the officers' hospital, where

my wound was most carefully attended by surgeon Burton of the

3rd Ehode Island artillery.


CHAPTER XXV.

Attempt to take rebel battery.—Battle of John's island.—Enemy repulsed.—Our forces

withdrawn.—Plan of attack on Charleston.—Reason of failure.—Colonel Davis comes

north.-Men kept in service over their time.—The regiment goes to Florida.—Ordered

to Washington.—Money to erect monument.—Regiment mustered out of service.—

Sketch of battalion that remained in service.

DURING the next two days the enemy kept up a brisk can-

nonade upon our position, but with little loss on our side.

As our guns were not permitted to go to the front to silence his

pieces, it was deemed advisable to attempt their capture. The 26th

regiment, negro troops, was selected for this duty, and the attempt

was made on the afternoon of the 8th. The effort failed with con-

siderable loss. The attack was badly planned and worse executed.

There was courage enough displayed to have made it successful, but

there was a great lack of judgment in handling the troops. Several

were killed, more wounded, and some were made prisoners.

From the tops of the trees about head-quarters the movements of

the enemy could be overlooked. Several boat-loads of troops were

seen to land upon the island from the main land, and other indica-

tions that led to the belief that an attack upon our forces would

not be long delayed. While we held our present position the enemy

was in danger. Our gunboats were in the Stono river shelling

his batteries, and the troops threatened to turn his works on

James' island. The evening of the 8th we were re-enforced by the


arrival of the 8th and 34th negro regiments, under colonel Mont-

gomery, from James' island. This was Friday. That night our

pickets were strengthened and other ordinary precautions taken to

prevent surprise, as it was believed that an attack would be made

in the next twenty-four hours. About 4 o'clock the next morning,

under cover of a heavy fog, the enemy surprised our pickets by a

large force and drove them in to the main body. Several of our

men were killed and wounded. The enemy followed them closely.

The noise and firing at the front alarmed the camps, and the troops

were soon aroused and in line. Our position was the same as that

taken up on the morning of our arrival on the ground. Two guns

were stationed at the bridge which commanded the road, while the

infantry was in rifle-pits on both sides of it along the edge of the

swamp. The remainder of the guns was stationed at convenient

positions for shelling.

The enemy came down the road in a great mass, running and

yelling, in pursuit of our flying pickets, and did not discover our

guns at the bridge until they opened, at the distance of less than a

hundred yards, with a double charge of canister. Our men were

so hard pushed that they did not have time to remove the plank

from the bridge. The enemy was immediately checked with great

slaughter, but deployed in the timber, on the right and left, and

commenced a general attack. The action lasted two hours, when

he retired, being repulsed at all points. His loss must have been

heavy, as his men fought desperately and at close quarters. He

made a great effort to drive us from our position. All that day he

was seen from our look-out in the tree-tops carrying off the killed

and wounded in ambulances and on stretchers. A particularly fine

shot was made during the action by lieutenant Wildt, commanding

a New York battery, with one of his pieces. A sharp-shooter of

the enemy had fixed himself in the top of a tree, within close range

of our pieces at the bridge, and his balls were annoying our gun

ners without knowing where they came from. Presently he was

^f^U^ d^^


pointed out. The lieutenant caused a gun to be loaded nearly full

of canister, and elevated so as to strike the tree about where the

man sat. It was directed with accurate aim and fired. The tree

was cut oif just below him and they came to the ground together.

Our loss was not over a hundred in killed and wounded. During

the operations on the island the loss of the 104th was one officer

killed and two officers and nine men wounded. The one killed was

liutenant Burke, of company G. His was a hard case. He had

just been promoted after nearly three years' faithful service. His

commission had been handed him the day before, and he had not

had an opportunity to be mustered in. He was placed on duty as

an officer, and was killed while on picket. A rebel soldier mounted

a bank near where Burke was rallying the men, and seeing his ac-

tivity took Meliberate aim and shot him through the head. His

body was not recovered. That night the island was evacuated.

The troops were quietly withdrawn after dark to the Stono, where

they embarked on transports under cover of gunboats. The expe-

dition was abandoned. It had resulted like all previous attempts to

take Charleston, in failure, and mainly because the orders were not

carried out.

As already mentioned, it was intended that the attack should be

made in four columns. Commencing on the right, colonel Gurney,

commanding on Morris island, with assistance from the navy was

to throw a thousand men, in boats, across to the head of James'

island and capture fort Johnson under cover of the darkness. In

place of this only one hundred and fifty men of the 52d Pennsylvania

regiment, under colonel Hoyt and lieutenant-colonel Conyngham,

were landed on the island just before daylight. They attacked with

great gallantry, but after a partial success were all made prisoners,

with some loss in killed and wounded. Colonel Gurney, himself,

did not accompany his command, and I am informed by officers en-

gaged that he did not consult the navy as to the tide and channel as

he should have done. This was the most important point of attack


in tte operations, and failed. Success here would have given us

success elsewhere. This took place on the morning of the 4th of

July. The conduct of colonel Gurney was afterward investigated

before a court of inquiry and he was censured.

The column of general Schemmelphinneg landed on the lower

end of James' island from the Stono river^at the time agreed upon,

and attacked the enemy's lines. He captured a small battery with

two guns, and took a few prisoners, but failed to force the main

works. His force remained on the island until operations were con-

cluded, and annoyed the enemy from time to time. The force

under general William Birney went in transports up the Dawhoo

to White's point, where he landed under cover of some light draft

gun-boats which accompanied him. General Poster went with this

column. The landing was not opposed. After the eolumn was

formed it took the road to Kantoul's bridge, on the main, crossed

by the Charleston and Savannah railroad. After marching a short

distance their progress was arrested by a battery which the enemy

had built across the road. After making a feeble effort to silence

it, general Birney retired to his transports and embarked his forces.

A naval battery, manned by sailors from the gunboats, accompanied

the column. When the retreat was ordered the sailors were not no-

tified, and kept their ground. They drew their pieces back by

hand, some two miles, and embarked in safety. The column was

composed of negroes, the favorite troops of general Birney, and yet

the reason he gave general Foster for retiring was that he had no

confidence in his men. Foster was very much displeased at the

conduct of Birney, so much so that he was relieved of his command

and sent back to Florida. Colonel Montgomery was placed in com-

mand of his brigade, which was withdrawn to James' island. The

failure of the supporting columns was the occasion of the withdrawal

of Hatch's division from John's island.

This expedition should have been a success. I have no doubt

that Charleston would have fallen, had the orders of general Foster


been carried out. If the John's island column had been properly

pushed, it could have secured a position at the head of the island on

the 5th of July. The enemy was completely deceived by our flank

march from Parker's to the Stono, as they had made arrangements

to resist us with the small force at their command on the other road.

My brigade reached the Huts, on the morning of the 5th, about 8

a. m., only five miles from the city, where I was ordered to halt un-

til the general came up, which was not until dark. At this time

there was no force in my front except two or three hundred mounted

men, known as the Stono rangers, and a four gun battery. Our

united force was full three thousand infantry, besides two four gun

batteries, and a small squadron of cavalry. It should have been

kept closed up and pushed on to the head of the island. Myown brigade, fifteen hundred strong, with four guns, was kept inac-

tive twelve hours, and thus the golden opportunity was lost. Mean

while the enemy telegraphed for troops to oppose us, and we lay

there doing nothing until a brigade was brought from Atlanta,

Georgia, with which, and some additional troops from the neighbor-

ing islands they attacked us on the morning of the 9th, Saturday.

During Friday re-enforcements from Charleston were seen coming

across the Ashley river, on steamboats, and landing on the head

of John's island. On abandoning the expedition the troops were

sent to their former location, the 104th occupying their old camp at

Hilton Head. I remained in hospital until the I7th, when I took

the steamer for New York on a thirty days' leave of absence. The

regiment was left in command of lieutenant-colonel Hart, which he

retained for the remainder of its enlistment. I did not again re-

join it for duty. When sufficiently recovered from my wound to

do IJo-ht duty, I was detailed on general court-martial at Philadel-

phia, where I remained until the regiment was mustered out of

service.

In the 104th were a number of men who enlisted in the summer

of 1862, for the unexpired term of the regiment, expecting to be


discharged with it in the fall of 1864. They were recruited with

this understanding. As the time approached when it would he

mustered out, these men were anxious to knowwhat would he their

fate, as some question had been raised as to their right to discharge.

On the 18th of June I laid their case before the war department in

a respectful communication, in which I argued their right to be

mustered out with the regiment, inasmuch as they had only enlisted

for the unexpired term. I stated the whole case fully with the

previous decision of the department on the question. It was re-

ferred to the adjutant general of the army for his final action. Two

months afterward the papers were returned to general Foster with

an endorsement that I had been guilty of insubordination in bring-

ing the matter before him. This was the first occasion I ever knew

that an officer was guilty of an ofience in laying the grievances of

his men before the proper authorities, and asking to have them cor-

rected. Here the matter rested and the men served out their full

three years. A case precisely similar was presented from Massa-

chusetts. In 1862 her regiments were filled up in the same way,

for their unexpired term, and when the question was referred to the

war department it was decided in favor of the soldier, and it was an-

nounced that that State was the only one in whose favor an excep-

tion had been made. This appeared like an unfair discrimination

in favor of New England.

The 104th remained at Hilton Head doing garrison and fatigue

duty until the last of July, when it was ordered to Florida to relieve

some troops that were being sent north. General Hatch, who had

been sent down to replace general Birney in command of the dis-

trict, selected it to accompany him. The regiment was stretched

along the rail road guarding it from Jacksonville to Baldwin, where

three companies were stationed. The weather was warm, but the

duty was not particularly arduous, being principally engaged on

picket and fatigue. The last of August several regiments from the

department of the South were sent north, of which the 104th was


one. It was ordered to Washington city and landed from the

steamer at Alexandria, when it was assigned to the fortifications on

the south side of the Potomac. It was attached to the brigade of

colonel Heine. Here it remained until its term of enlistment

expired.

There was some misunderstanding with the war department as to

the time the regiment was entitled to its discharge. The commis-

sary of musters at Hilton Head had received notice that it was not

entitled to be mustered out until the 16th of October, twenty-four

days after the expiration of the term of service for which the menhad enlisted. This caused much dissatisfaction and created an angry

feeling toward the department. I addressed the adjutant general

of the army on the subject, but could not get the order rescinded.

A subsequent personal application was more successful, and an

order was obtained for its muster out on the 23rd of September.

Ten days before this time I visited the regiment and carried the

order with me, which gave great satisfaction to both officers and men.

Preparatory to being mustered out the fragments of the ten compa-

nies to remain were consolidated into a battalion of five companies,

numbering about four hundred men, consisting principally of the

conscripts and substitutes who had joined on Morris' island. They

were placed in command of lieutenanf^colonel Hart, while the com-

pany officers were selected from among those who had not served

three years in their present commissions.

On the occasion of my visit to the regiment at this time, the en-

listed men did an act that reflected great credit on them. For a

long time I had been exceedingly anxious to raise the means to

erect a monument to the memory of the dead of the regiment. It

had been brought before a meeting of officers on Morris' island, but

was postponed for the present. During the last year of service, by

a system of economy in the management of our bakery, there had

accumulated a regimental fund of nearly two thousand dollars. This

money belonged to the enlisted men, must be divided among them

330 ONE HUNDRED AND rOlTRTH

when the regiment should be mustered out, and could not be used

for any other purpose than that pointed out by Army Kegulations

without their consent. I wrote to the war department to know wheth-

er all, or a portion, of this money could be appropriated by the regi-

mental council of administration to build the monument, if the en-

listed men gave their consent, and in reply I was informed that it

could be done. While I was with the regiment on this occasion

the men unanimously adopted a resolution authorizing the council

to appropriate sixteen hundred dollars for this object. The money

has been invested in government securities, with some additions by

contributions, until the time it may be thought best to erect the

monument.

The regiment left Washington for Philadelphia, to be mustered

out of service on the 23d of September, and arrived Sunday morn-

ing, the 25th, and quartered at the Volunteer Refreshment Saloon.

The separation between those who were coming home, and those

who remained in service, took place at the depot in Washingtoij,

whither the battalion of five companies had come, on their way to

join Sheridan in the valley of Virginia. On the afternoon of the

27th the city authorities gave the regiment a formal reception, and

under an escort was marched through various streets, which were

crowded by the citizens. On Saturday, the 1st of October, the old

organization of the 104th came to an end, for on that afternoon the

officers and men were mustered out of service, paid off and dis-

charged from the military service of the United States. They se-

parated immediately, and those who had been closely united for

three years amid dangers and hardships, bade good-by, many of

them never to meet again on this side the grave. A considerable

number came up to Doylestown in the evening train, where they

were handsomely received and took supper in the court house. Rich-

ard Watson, Esq., made the speech of welcome. The entertainment

was mainly gotten up through the exertions of the ladies. The

night was very stormy, but nevertheless there was a large assem-


blage present to receive their friends and relatives who had returned

from the battle-field.

This closes the old organization of the 104th, but the history of

the regiment will not be complete without some notice of the battal-

ion which remained in service. As I have none of the official records

of this period to refer to, the account of it must necessarily be brief,

as well as imperfect. For the information on which it is written, I

am indebted to lieutenant-colonel Hart, who remained in command

of the battalion, and lieutenant- colonel Kephart, who succeeded him.

As before mentioned, the men who remained in service were

formed into five companies, with a battalion organization. The ofii-

cers detailed to remain, because their then present commissions had

a greater or less time to run were, lieutenant-colonel Hart, surgeon

Robinson, assistant surgeon Brush and quartermaster Lehnen, as

field and staff", with the following company officers, viz. : captains

Kephart, GrofF, Laughlin and Scarborough, and lieutenants Glase,

Williams, Tyson, O'Connell, Widdifield, Michener, Garron, Conner

and Walker. Lieutenant Widdifield was appointed adjutant, which

position he held until the close of the war.

Colonel Hart, with his battalion, left Washington city at noon on

the 24th of September, and reached Harper's Perry the next morning,

Sunday, before daylight. On reporting to general Stevenson, the com-

mandant, he was directed to march his command to Bolivar Heights,

on the opposite side of the river, and report to colonel Heine, 103d

New York. The battalion now numbered about two hundred men

and five company officers. Two or three days afterward colonel

Heine, with a brigade of four thousand men, started to escort a train

of six hundred wagons to general Sheridan's army at Harrisonburg.

The column marched from twenty to twenty-five miles a-day, passing

Charlestown, Winchester and other well-known places, and reached

the point of destination in safety. Along the road between Win-

chester and Harrisonburg were seen many evidences of battle and


the hasty flight of the enemy. The last day's march, burning barns

were seen in every direction.

Heine's brigade was now assigned to the 3d division of the 6th

corps, general Eicketts commanding. Shortly the whole army fell

back toward Harper's Ferry. It rested a couple of days near Stras-

burg, whence the 6th corps was sent to Front Koyal. Colonel Heine,

with the 10th New York Heavy Artillery, 103d New York, and the

104th Pennsylvania, were left to guard the pass through the moun-

tains, while the army continued to fall back toward Winchester.

The same day an order was received from general Sheridan for the

brigade to be at Middletown the next morning at dajlisht, which

point was reached at that time. The 6th corps came up soon after-

ward. Heine's brigade was again detached and placed in charge of

a train for Martinsburg. It left the army on the morning of the

17th of October, and reached Martinsburg about dark, a distance of

forty-two miles. While the train was loading, the battle of Cedar

creek was fought on the 19th, and at that distance the roar of the

artillery could be distinctly heard. A number of the men of the

lOith, about enough to form a company, who had come up after the

regiment had left with the train, took part in the battle, under com-

mand of captain Kephart. Five of them were wounded, but I have

not been able to learn their names. About the 1st of November

colonel Hart, with his battalion, was ordered to report to colonel

Bassitt, at Martinsburg, and get ready to proceed to Philadelphia, to

vote at the coming Presidential election. The 104th was incorpo-

rated into a brigade, consisting of that regiment and the 84th, 92d

and llOtli Pennsylvania. The march from Winchester to Martins-

burg, thirty miles, was made in twelve hours. While the regiment

was in the valley, it was engaged in very arduous service, being

nearly all the time on the march. In many instances the men were

barefooted.

The regiment reached Philadelphia iri the night and was sent

out to camp Cadwallader, where no preparations had been made to


receive them. The camp ground was almost afloat and the tents

were pitched in mud and water. After the Presidential election

the brigade was ordered back to Winchester, where lieutenant,

colonel Hart was mustered out and honorably discharged from the

service by reason of having served out his full term.

On the retirement of lieutenant-colonel Hart, captain Kephart'

the ranking officer, assumed command of the battalion, on the 20th

of November, at Summit point. He was afterward promoted to the

vacant lieutenant-colonel's commission. On the 22d Heine's divi-

sion, of which the 104th again formed a part, was ordered to join

the army of the Potomac in front of Piichmond. It was stationed

on the Bermuda front, about the centre of the line between the

Appomattox and the James' rivers. Here it remained during the

winter, and participated in all the dangers and hardships incident

to the operations of the army. Picket duty was incessant and se-

vere, and the soldiers of the two armies were engaged in almost

daily conflict. During the winter the battalion was raised to a full

regiment by the addition of flve new companies, commanded by the

following officers, viz:—Captain Johnson, from Blair county; cap-

tain Fredrick, from Armstrong; captain Kantner, from Schuylkill;

captain Rankin, from Dauphin; and captain McCanna, from Pitts-

burgh. They were composed of good material. Lieutenant-colonel

Kephart was now commissioned colonel, but was never mustered in

his new grade.

The regiment was engaged in the operations on the 3d and 4th

of April, when the advance was made on Petersburg and Rich-

mond which led to the route and surrender of the rebel army. On

the fall of Petersburg it was sent into that town and formed part of

the garrison until about the 20th of April, when it was ordered to re-

port at fortress Monroe. After remaining there four days it was sent

to Norfolk, where it was in garrison until mustered out of service

This took place on the 25th of August, 1865. The men were then

sent to Philadelphia, where they were paid off and discharged. At


the time of the muster-out of the regiment the five companies that

had belonged to the old organization were commanded respectively

by the following officers, viz:—Company A, lieutenant Wigton; B,

captain Glase; C, captain Scarborough; D, lieutenant Dyer; and

H, captain Bitting. When captain Kephart was promoted on the

muster out of lieutenant-colonel Hart, captain Laughlin was com-

missioned and mustered as major. The other field and stafi' officers

remained the same as already mentioned. I am not able to give

the various changes among the commissioned officers during this

period, but I am informed that some forty new commissions were

issued during the nine months the battalion and regiment were un-

der the command of lieutenant-colonel Kephart. The absence of

official records and other data prevent me giving many particulars

that would be interesting both to the members of the regiment and

the general reader.

Before I conclude I deem it necessary to say a few words about

the labors of chaplain Gries. The regiment was fortunate in

having such an excellent chaplain. Neither officer nor man was

more faithful in the discharge of his duties-. He served out his

full term of three years, and was very seldom absent from the regi-

ment unless on duty. During this time he held more than a thou-

sand religious exercises. He preached every Sunday in camp, with

prayer-meeting and a short address every evening when possible.

Besides these he held special service in the hospital. For a long

time he was the only chaplain on duty with the brigade, and he

alone held daily and continuous services among the troops. For a

considerable period during the operations on Morris island he was

the only chaplain in that army to officiate at the burial of the dead.

For a time he was engaged in this duty nearly every hour in the

day. While connected with the regiment Mr. Gries baptized and

received into the church fifty-nine soldiers and one officer : the lat-

ter and one soldier belonged to the 52d regiment, but all the rest

to the 104th.


My task is now done. The 104th Pennsylvania regiment will

live in history and in the memory of those who served in it. There

never was an organization that contained a finer body of men, and

no regiment in the Federal army bore truer faith to the great cause

it espoused, and is more worthy to be honored iu the annals of the

Republic,

APPENDIX.

22

ROSTEROF THE

ComHiissioned. and. Non-OommissiorLed.

OFFICERS, MUSICIANS, AND PRIVATESOF THE

104xH PENNSYLVANIA REGIMENT.

FIELD AND STAFF, NOlSr-OOMMISSIOIIED STAFF, AUDBAUD.

FIELD AND STAFF.W. W. H. Davisr Colonel, Doylestown, Pa.

John W. Nielda, Lt. Colonel, West Chester, Pa.

John M. Gries, Major, Philadelphia,. Pa.

Thompson D. Hart, Adjutant, Philadelphia, Pa.

James D. Hendrie, Quarter Master, Doylestown, Pa.

William Allen Peck, Surgeon, Phoenixville, Pa.

William T. Eobinson, Asst. Surgeon, Montgomery Co., Pa.

William R. Gries, Chaplain, Doylestown.^

NON-COMMISSIONED STAFF.Edmund A. Wallazz, Sergt. Major, Philadelphia, Pa.

Robert Holmes, Q. M. Sergt., Doylestown, Pa.

James M. Rogers, Com. Sergt., do

John Hargrave, .Principal Musician, Doylestown, Pa.

Joseph Winner, " " Philadelphia, Pa.

Michael E. Jenks, Wagon Master, Newtown, Pa.

BANDJohn Z. Johst, Leader, Lehigh Co., Pa.

PRIVATES.Albright, Stephen E., Lehigh Co., Pa.

Dankel, Samuel, do doEngleman, Sylvester, do do

Gorr, George H., do do

Lewis, Joseph M., Bucks do

Richart, Jacob, Lehigh do'

Cox, William, Bucks Co., Pa.

Druckenmiller, John J. W.,

Lehigh do

Gallagher, Henry H., New Jersey.

Knauss, Harman S., Lehigh Co., Pa.

Mann, John E., Bucks do


Seip, William S.,

Tool, Henry S.,

Tool, Eugeue T.,

Widrig, James H.,

Lehigh Co., Pa.

do dodo dodo do

Eohs, William,

Spoenheimer, Lewis,

Tool Albert S.,

Peter, William,

Knauss, Harrison E.

Lebigh Co., Pa.do dodo dodo dodo do

COMPANY "A."Edward L. Rogers, Captain, Doylestowu, Bucks Co., Pa.

Henry W. Heaney, 1st Lieutenant, do do do

Robert Holmes, 2nd do Philadelphia, Pa.

SERGEANTS.Jeremiah P. Schindel, Lehigh Co., Pa. I Edwin Fretz, Doylestown, Pa.John McD. Laughlin, Bucks do | Charles Eokhardt,Germantown, do

CORPORALS.Charles Toy, Montgomery Co., Pa. I Joseph M. Wiatt, Philadelphia, Pa.Amos G. Hill, Bucks do | Jolin J. Wigton, Bucks Co., Pa.Thomas B. Widdifield, do do I Mordecai B. Smith, do doAndrew, J. C. Terry, do do | Jacob Hanifius, Lebanon do

MUSICIANS.William A. Nagle, Port Carbon, Pa.

|Joseph H. Straub, Philadelphia, Pa.

Algard, Jeremiah,Angeny, Abraham,Arnold, Charles,

Bartleman, Fredolm,Bartleraan, Francis,

Bauer, John,Benson, Robert E.,

Bilbee, George W.Brierly, James,

PRIVATES.Bucks Co., Pa.

do do

do do

Germany,dodo

Bucks Co., Pa.

Luzerne do

England.Brown, Wm., Montgomery Co.Bertles, Jacob, Bucks Co.Campbell, Samuel A., doCavanough, Wilson,Charles, Jacob K.,

Clafifey, Patrick,

Fryling, Isaac S.,

Fryling, Lawrence,Fryling, Levi,

Fryling, Wilson,Gallagher, Henry,Gallagher, .James,

Pa.

Pa.

doPa.

Pa.

Philada.

Bucks Co.

Ireland.

Bucks Co., Pa.

do dodo dodo do

Ireland.

Ireland.

Gordon, George W., Bucks Co., Pa.Good, Thomas,Groom, Ramsey C,Gares, James,Hargrave, James,Hart, Joseph T.,

Hellyer, Jesse S.,

Horn, Pearson A.,

dodododododo

dodododododo

New Hope, Pa.Hoxworth, William, Doylestown, doHubbard, Nathaniel, do doHultz, John, Philadelphia, Pa,

Kelley, Patrick, Ireland.

Kile, Sylvester, Bucks Co., Pa.Loux, Mathias J., doLayton, Lewis N. B., doLear, Thomas, doLeister, Edwin, doLewis, Nathan, doLivezcy, John D., doMalsbury, William, doMartindale, W. Yei'kes, doMcintosh, Edward, Doylestown,McHenry, William, do

dodododododododoPa.do

McKinstry, Camillus do doMorgan, William A., Bucks Co., Pa.

Naylor, Wm. H., Morristovvn, N. J.

Nice, Daniel, Bucks Co., Pa.Nice, John, do doParsons, Robert, do doRaisner, William A., do doReamer, Joseph, New York.Reoht, Sebastian, France.Reynolds, Wm. A., Bucks Co., Pa.Rice, James S., do doRuth, John, do doSands, Joseph, do doSellers, Gilbert S., do doShaddinger, HarveyG., do doSlack, William P., Hunterdon, N. J.

Sehlitt, Christian, Germany.SolUday, Charles, Bucks Co., Pa.Stalcup, William H., Cecil Co., Md.Stirk, Oliper J., Bucks Co., Pa.


Strouse, Jefferson, Bucks Co., Pa.Seifert, Daniel, Germany.Silvey, Joseph, Easton, Pa.

Stokes, John L., Burlington, N. J.

Terry, Andrew J., Philadelphia, Pa.Titus, William, Bucks Co., Pa.

Torpy, Patrick, Ireland.

Wall, Willis, Bucks Co., Pa.

Walter, Levi, Bucks Co., Pa.

Walton, John, do doWhitcraft, Andrew, Philadelphia, Pa.

William.s, Charles, Bucks Co., Pa.

Wisler, John, Montgomery doWright, Leonard, Bucks doWhitaker, Benj. E., Phoenixville, Pa.

Williams, Miles, Doylestown, do

VOLUNTEER RECRUITS.Received after leaving Gamp Lacey.

Privates.Nice, John, Bucks Co.

Ruth, Harman T., doSliaddinger, Lewis, doShaddinger, William J., do

Cosner, George W., Bucks Co., Pa,

Ent, George 0., New Jersey,

Fryling, William H., Bucks Co., Pa.

Holcomb, Isaac, do do

Jacobs, John, Germany. Swartley, Henry,

Janney Jacob, Bucks Co., Pa.

CONSCRIPTS AND SUBSTITUTES.

Received at Morris Island, S.

Adcock, George M., Tennessee. I Long, Patrick,

Bear, Henry, Pennsylvania.|McNeal, Wallace,

Bewighouse, Abr., Bucks Co., Pa.|

McGinley,_ James,

Utica, N. Y. ^Pennsylvania,

Baltimore, Md.Prussia.

Scotland.

do

,Pa.

dodododo

0.

Clark, William,

Cole, James,Duke, George,Drinks, Diedrich,

Donaldson, Andrew,Frantz, Lyman,Graves, Reuben,Hundermer, Christian,

Harman, Paul,

Hoffey, Edward,Johnson, George,Jones, William,

Lonnon, Alfred W.,

Pennsylvania.

New York.Germany.Prussia.

Ireland.

doPennsylvania.

do

Morgan, Nelson,

Mannion, John,

Malcolm, James,Nary, Patrick,

Pembleton, Isaac,

Pembleton, Martin,

SiUick, William H.,

Sink, Cornelius,

Sponheimer,Van Wagner, Joseph,

Whitecraft, Hamilton, Pennsylvania,

Walter, Jacob, do

Ireland.

Pennsylvania,dodoIreland.

Denmark.Ireland.

Pennsylvania.do

New York.Pennsylvania;

doMontreal, Can.

COMPANY "B."

James R. Orem, Captain, Doylestown, Bucks Co., Pa.

Theophilus Kephart, 1st Lieutenant, Warrington, Bucks Co., Pa.

John H. McCoy, 2nd do Doylestown, do do

SERGEANTSEdwin S. Millis, Doylestown, Pa.

Edwin S. Darling, doWilliam P. Haney, Doylestown, Pa.

Henry A. Widdifield, do

Charles L. Porter, Philadelphia, Pa.

' CORPORALS.William Follis, Doylestown, Pa. 1 John Ault, New Britain, Pa.

Philip D Swartly, New Britain, do|Nelson xMcGraudy, Warrington, do

William H. Ruth, Buckingham, do IWittingham-Livezay, Doylest'n, do

Oliver L. Clossen, Illinois.|Andrew J.Connard.Buckingham, do

MUSICIANS.Michael Corcoran, New York. [

Lycurgus Bryan, Doylestown, Pa.


PRIVATES.Allen, Reuben, Doylestown, Pa.

Brinker, Jacob R., Warrington, doBartley, Charles, Doylestown, doBatchelor, Franklin, Horsham, doBothers, Moses, Solebury, doBeal, Eleazar, Doylestown, doBeal, Charles, do doBennett, Wm. S., Buckingham, doCnnnard, William, do doCarver, Chapman, do doCarter, Benjamin, do doCox, Alfred, Warrington, doClymer, James, Plumstead, doDelp, William, Montgomery Co., do

Dean, Henry C., Buckingham, doDonahoe, John,Donahoe, Michael.

Emery, Henry F.,

Eckhart, George,

Eckhart, Lewis H.

Eckerman, Wm.,

Johnson, George W., Solebury, Pa.Johnson, Edward R., Doylest'n, do

Flack, Harman,Fell, Henry C,Gault, William,

Garner, Amos,Godshalk, Samuel,

Doylestown, doDoylestown, doWarrington, doDoylestown, do

, Hilltown, doNew Britain, doDoylestown, doBuckingham, doWarrington, do

do dodo do

Gayman,Abr.,Gwynedd,Mtg'yCo.doGanzey, James B., Philadelphia, doGarner, George W., Doylestown, doGill, Abraham, Buckingham, doHaldeman, Philip, 'Warrington, doHumphry, John, New Britian, doHolmes, John, Buckingham, doJohnson, William E., Solebury, do

Livzey, James,Leister, Michael,

Myers, John G.,

Mellick, WilliamMcCall, John,Maier, John,

OliTcr, William W.

do doNew Britain, doDoylestown, doMontg'y Co., doWarrington, do

Hilltown, doGwynedd, do

Price, Frederick, Doylestown, doPark, Samuel C, Buckingham, doRadoliff, William, do doRapp, Markley, Warrington, doRobinson, George W., Bensalem, doStaver, Evan J., Buckingham, doSilvey, Samuel, Doylestown, doSilvey, James, Doylestown, do-

Smith, Andrew J., do doStetler, R., Gwynedd, Mtg'y Co., doSweezy, Charles, Solebury, doThieroif, Adam, New Britain, doTeiterman, Christian, Doylest'n, doTomlinson, David B., do doVanhorn, William, Southampton, doWhite Jarvis, Doylestown, doWilkinson, John S., Warwick, doWorthington,Wm. B., Buck'ghm, doWorthington, Jeremiah, do doWorthington, John J., do doWorthington, William, Solebury, doWhitaker, Abr., Buckingham, doWood, Joseph, Warwick, doWood, William, Warminster, doYeakle, John, New Britain, do

VOLUNTEER RECRUITS.Received after leaving Gamp Lacey.

Miller, Samuel, Doylestown, Pa. 1 Overholt, Charles W., Plumstead, Pa.Overholt, Simeon, Plumstead, do

|

MUSICIAN.Smith, Andrew J., Doylestown, Pa.

CONSCRIPTS AND SUBSTITUTES.Received ^t Morris Island, S. 0.

Acker, Lafayette, Scranton, Pa.Brown, John, Pottsville, doBrown, William, do doCook, John, . do doComst.ock,Wm. H., Philadelphia, doDelp, William B., Pottsville, doDorton, William,

Degraw, John,Davenport, Jacob,Grabill, John,Gearey, John,

. do dodo do

Scranton, doPottsville, do

do do

Geiler, John, Philadelphia, Pa.Howard, Charles, do doHogan, William, do doHenner, Brinkley, do doHager, David, Pottsville, doHanhn, Isaac S., do doKelley, Patrick, do doKepp, William, Scranton, doKlinesmith, Augustus, Pottsville Pa.Lane, George, do ' doMott, Frederick, • do do


Matz, George,Reider, Jacob,Rathman, Daniel,

Smith, Edwin,Swinton, John,Smith, Charles,

Sarber, Isaiah,

Sheifler, CoiiradH.,

Pottsville, Pa.do do

Reading, doPhiladelphia, do

Pottsville, dodo do

Scranton, dodo do

Taylor, William H., Philada., Pa.Thomas, John S., Pottsville, doWilson, Thomas, Philadelphia, doWhitaker, Ambrose, Scranton, doWeaver, George, do doWalter, Henry, Pottsville, doYoung, John, do do

COMPANY "C,"William Warren Marple, Captain, Warminster Bucks Co.,

James M. Carver, 1st Lieutenant, Doylestown, Pa.

J. Cathefwood Robinson, 2nd Lieutenant, Philadelphia, Pa.

Pa.

SERGEANTS.John S. Hartley, New Hope, Pa. William 0. Robins,George T. Magill, Solebury, do James S. Slack,

Thos.B. Scarborough, NewHope, do

CORPORALS.Charles Michener, Carversville, Pa. I Samuel P. Ryan, Doylestown,Julius B. Tyson, Montgom'y Co., do

|Henry Hooven, Philadelphia,

Sam'l S. Clayton, Philadelphia, do I Isaac Torbert, Richboro,Frederick Smith, Buckingham, do | William Watson, Solebury,

New Hope, Pa.Richboro, do

Pa.

dododo

MUSICIANS.Jonathan J. Hellings, North'pton, Pa.

|William Williams,

PRIVATES.

New Hope, Pa.

Baker, Zachariah, Lewisburg, Pa.Bennett, John, Brownsburg, doBennett, Andrew J., Bucks Co., doBright, C, Horsham, Mtg'y Co., doBright, Edw., do do doBrown, W. W. H., Plumstead, doBryan, William, Daipisville, doBuck, Charles H., New Hope, doCaffey, William, Buckingham, doCarver, Nathan, Bucks Co., doClark, Stephen, Doylestown, doClayton, Jonathan, Montg'y Co., doClayton, Richard, do do

Cooper, Jordan, Buckingham, doCraven, Charles, Newtown, doDungan, James B,, Bucks Co., do

Eastburn, Harrison, do do

Edwards, Augustus, Davisville, do

Edwards, William, Buckingham, do

Erwin, John B., Bucks Co., do

Ford, Samudl, Montgomery Co., do

Gano, Stephen, Bucks Co., do

Hamilton, Isaac, Ireland.

Hibbs, Harrison, Buckingham, Pa.

Hilbourn, John, Bucks Co., do

Jones, William S., Montg'y Co., do

Keeler, Elias, Tinicum, Pa.

Keeler, William, do do

Kendell, William, Philadelphia, Pa.

Kitchen, Harrison, Solebury, doLie, Casper, Germany.Lippincott, Samuel, New Jersey.Lockhart, George, Philadelphia, Pa.Magee, William, do doMicUener, Charles, Chester Co., doMilliman, William, Bucks Co., doMoor, Nathan, Montgomery Co., doMorris, Crispin, Bucks Co., doMoss, Mahlon, Montgomery Co., doMullen, Joseph, Valley Forge, doMcCloskey, John, Ireland.

McGuigan, James, Philadelphia, Pa.Naylor, Houston, New Hope, doNice, Peter,

Odendeifer, Jacob,

Oliver, William N.

Parry, William,Rice, George,Robins, HenryRoberts, Crispin,

Roberts, Joseph,Roberts, William R.

Ross, Henry B.,

Ryan, Francis,

Scarborough, R. S.,

do doGermany.

Bucks Co., Pa.Bridgeport, doNew Hope,

doBucks Co.

dododo

New Hope, dodo do

dodododododo

Selser, Samuel, Huntingdon Co., do


Shaw, Moses R.,

Shuster, Abram,Silvey, Abram,Sine, Harvey,Smith, Thomas J.

Smith, Tunis R.

Stackhouse, Samuel.Stiner, William,

Tagney, James,Taylor, Samuel,Titus, Elias,

Buckingham, Pa.

DaTisville, doNew Hope, do

Buckingham, doBucks Co., do

do dodo dodo do

Ireland.

Bucks Co., Pa.

do do

Van Horn, Albert Bucks Co., Pa.

Watson, Sam'l A., Philadelphia, do

Weissman, Peter, Missouri.

Wetter, Ramsey, Bucks Co., Pa.

Willdoner, Frederick, do do

Wynkoop, Thos. H., do do

Stafford, John, Ireland.

Elliott, William B., Philadelphia, Pa.

Campbell, John B., Bucks Co., do

Lovett, John, do do

Horttenstine, Adam, Pennsylvania.Horttenstine, Tilghman, doHerbert, Charles, Germany.Hampton, James, Missouri.

Kelley, Thomas, Ireland.

Lanzenbach, Edwin, Pennsylvania.

VOLUNTEER RECRUITS.Received after leaving Camp Lacey.

Marlin, George, Philadelphia, Pa. I Eugles, William H., Bucks Co., Pa.

Halderman, H., Montg'ry Co., do|

CONSCRIPTS AND SUBSTITUTES.Received at Morris Island, S. 0.

Andrews, Reuben, Scranton, Pa.

Ackel, Augustus, do doAckel Ilezeklah, Gloucester Co., N.J.

Ackel, Frederick, Germany.Bellerney, Oliver, France.

Bohner, Lewis, Germany.Bohreus, Henry, doBrannon, John, Ireland.

Brownwell, Daniel, Pennsylvania.

Coddington, William H., doCool, Peter, doCorby, Charles, Italy.

Davis, Charles S., Massachusetts.

Daubert, Jacob, Pennsylvania.

Detwiler, Tilghman, doDier, Yeodeon, Canada.Ech, Nathan, Pennsylvania.Fox, Thomas, England.Fisher, Emmanuel, Pennsylvania.Fitzgerald, Patrick, Canada.Hinkle, George, Pennsylvania.

Lucas, Wilkins,

Larenz, Isaac,

Rausch, August,Myers, John,Seglin, Henry,Smitli, John,Smith, William,Steir, Bartlefred,

Stanton, Watson,Tayman, James,

dodo

Germany.do

Pennsylvania.New York.

Indiana.Germany.

Pennsylvania.Maryland.

Williams, Frank, Williamsport, Pa.Wilson, James, Ireland.

Wagner, Henry E., Pennsylvania.Yost, James, do

OOMPAUT "D."

Jacob Swartzlander, Captain, Doylestown, Pa.Richard Roberts, 1st Lieutenant, Quakertown, Pa.

Enos R. Artman, 2ad do do

SERGEANTS.Levi H. Markly, Line Lexington, Pa.Jonathan White, Doylestown, doFenvrick, Leatherbury, Quakt'n, Pa.

.lames Hessler, Quakertown, Pa.Wm. M. Schaffer, Trumb'rsville, do

CORPORALS.L. A. Rosenberg, Line Lex'gton, Pa.

Aaron Thompson, Quakertown, do

J.U.Bridegroom,Emmaus, Lehigh doSamuel F. Ball, Quakertown, do

Charles E. Delhi, Riohlaudtown, Pa.W. H. H. Antrim, Steinsburgh, doWilliam H. Morton, do doJohn Rosenberger, Quakertown, do


' MUSICIANS.Chas. B. Johnson, Philadelphia, Pa.

|Casper Somerndyke, Philada., Pa.

PRIVATES.Arn, Jacob, Quakei-towa, Pa.Anker, John, Philadelphia, doAlthouse, Henry, Quakertown, doAnsley, George W., Bucks Co., doBillger, Lewis, Quakertown, doBaltz, Peter, do doBrown, William, do doBinder, Fr.M., Montgomery Co., doBatterworth, Henry, Quakert'n, doBreish, George C, do doBooz, JohnW., Trumbowersville, doCressman, W. B., Quakertown, doConaway, Edward F., do doCroman, Jacob, do doChrist, W., Emmaus, Lehigh Co., doDelhi, Edwin, do do doDelhi, Jacob, do do doDilliard, H., Lightstown, do doDilliard, John, do do doFaes, Jacob, Quakertown, doFrank, William S., Bunkerhill, doFranks, William D., Hilltown, doFoley, John, Quakertown, doFarran, William, do do

Flanegan, Henry, do do

Feshner, John, do do

Grossman, Christian, do doGeary, George C, Steinsburg, doGrainer, John G., Quakertown, do

Godshall, Levi S., do do

Hulit, Gilliam G., Bucks Co., do

Hallback, .Marcus Z., Philada., do

Haverstraw, William, Hilltown, do

Harfeter, Gottleib, do do

Holsword,G.,Emmaus,LehighCo. do

Heller, Nathaniel, Steinsburg, do

Heist, Joseph, Quakertown, do

Hacket, William, do do

Headman, David, Quakertown, Pa.Kreader, Daniel, do doKreader, George, do doKerns, C. W., Trumbowersville, doKerns, Henry, do doKemmerer, PlenryB., Quakert'n, doKleinsmith, Daniel, Bunkerhill, doKeiser, Charles M., Hilltown, doLilly, Amandus, Quakertown, doMiller, Francis, do doMiller, Evan, do doMussleman, William, Steinsburg, doMussleman, John B., do doMartin, Jonas B., Dublin, doMcNamee, Peter, Pennsylvania.Naan, James, Quakertown, doOsback, Howard, Doylestown, doProsser, Daniel D., Quakertown, doRoberts, Abraham, do doRoberts, John, do doRohr, Henry, Hilltown, doRooks, Charles, do doSteinberger, John, Quakertown, doSpangenberger, Charles, do doSnyder, W.,L.Lex'gton,Mtg'yCo. doShaw, Charles, Quakertown, doSmith, Joseph B., Richlandlown, doSleight, Charles, Bunkerhill, doShelly, Henry, Steinsburg, do

Smith, Robert, Buffalo, N. Y.

Stillwagen, H.,-Line Lexington, Pa.

Traumbower, Hilary, Quakert'n, do

Thomas, Silas, Line Lexington, do

Weaver, P.,Emmaus,LehighCo., do

Wambold, Jeremiah, Quakert'n, do

Williams, Charles, Gwynedd, do

Ziegeufoos, Josiah, Bunkerhill, do

VOLUNTEER RECRUITS.

Mecewed after leaving Camp Lacey.

Wright, Samuel C, Philada., Pa.

Link, Michael, Quakertown, do

Brunner, Charles, do do

Cope, Ellas, do do

Cope, David B., do do

Broadbeok, John W., Quakert'n, Pa.

Fisher, Henry, do do

Headman, Joseph, Bunkerhill, do

Pfender, Joseph, Quakertown, do

Naoe, Samuel, Bunkerhill, do

CONSCRIPTS AND SUBSTITUTES.

Received at Morris Island, S. 0.

Brantly, George W., Georgia.

Clark, George W., Philadelphia, Pa.

Clark, Thomas, do do

Chalton, John, Canada.

Colclough, James W., Pottsville, Pa.

Donnelly, John, do do

Edwards, James, do do

Edger, James W., Canada.


Gardiner, R. B.,

Green, George Z.

Hooper, James B.

Hawkins, James,Kane, Micliael,

Henry, John,Koch, John,King, Robert,

Kyle, Thomas,Mullen, John,Myers, Thomas,

Washington, D. C.

Baltimore, Md.Pottsville, Pa.

Baltimore, Md.do doMaryland.

Pottsville, Pa.

Philadelphia, Pa.Baltimore, Md.

do dodo do

Maiers, Henry,McConnell, James,Noonan, Edward,Neiheiser, WilliamRyan, Michael,

Reed, William L.,

Son, John,Scott, Charles,

Williams, James,Williams, John,

Philadelphia, Pa.

Pittsburg, doRhode Island.

Pottsville, Pa.Ohio.

Pottsville, Pa.

do doNew York.

Baltimore, Md.do do

COMPANY "E."George T. Harvey, Captain, Doylestown, Pa.

Matthias Lehnen, 1st Lieutenant, Nook-imixon, Pa.

Edward M. CroU, 2nd do Philadelphia, do

SERGEANTS,Jaeob W. Glase, Bucks Co., Pa.Thos. F. Tomlinson, Doylestown, doCharles W. Hottman, Bucks Co., do

Francis L. Coar,

William Walker,Bucks Co.,

doPa.do

Frederick Lehnen,Jerome Buck,Joseph 11. Larrison,

William Sigafoos,

Frederick Leffler,

CORPORALS.Easton, Pa. I Adam Loibler,

Bucks Co., doI

Andrew Enders,do do

I

Jacob Krome,do do

I

William H. Lex,

Bucks Co. Pa.do do

Philadelphia, dodo do

MUSICIANS.Bucks Co., Pa.

I

Edward F. Magill, Philadelphia, Pa.

Apple, Frederick, Bucks CoBeck, E. H., MontgomeryBean, Oliver W., doBissey, John, BucksBrecht, Harrison, Montg'yBrown, Francis M., BucksBeans, Jonas doBuck, Augustus, doBiekel, Christian, doBiddle, Cephas R., doClemens, Samuel, doCampman, Jacob, doCoyle, Patrick, doCampbell, Harrison G. , doDarrah, Charles, doDevereux, James, doDaniel, John, doDippenbrook, Adolph, do

PRIVATES., Pa. Fisher

Deimer, Elias,

Elf, Conrad,Engle, George W.,Ely, Watson F.,

Farrell, Aaron,Fonash, John,

dodo

Montg'yBucksdodo

Fornerman, William, do

dododododododododododododododododododododododo

, John,Gamble, Charles,

Gibney, Matthew,Gill, George A.,

GiUmore, James,Green, Aaron,Greasamer, Henry,Harvey, Francis H.,

Haywing, Jacob

Bucks Co., Pa.Philadelphia, do

Bucks Co., doPhiladelphia, do

doBucks Co., do

do dodo dodo do

Hargins, Theodore G., Philada., doHarr, David H., Bucks Co., doHeisler, Elias, MontgomeryHenn. Jacob, Bucks,Hilt, Joel C, PhiladelphiaHallowell, Thomas, Bucks Co.Hess, John, doJffhnson, John H., Bucks Co.Jordan, Jacob, doKnoll, Fred. C, Montg'ryKohl, Henry H., BucksKramer, Elwood, doKolbe, Charles, doLivengood, Joseph N., doLogan, George H., doLorigenour, Josiah, do

dodododododododododododododo

PENNSTVANIA REGIMENT. 347

Longenower, Levi, Bucks Co., P:

Montgomery, J., Montg'ry doMorris, G. George, Buolis

Martin, John, doMcCiillum, Lawrence, doMcGlathery, C, Montg'ryMclntyre, William, BucksNicliolas, Tobias, doOberpeoli, Jacob, doPower, Thomas, doPrice, John, MontgomeryRioketts, William, :Lancaster, doRush, John, Bucks Co., do.Race, Aaron, Montgomery doShaw, Christian, BucksSchlegle, Charles, doSchwartz, John, doSchellenberger, Levi, do

dododododododododo

dodododo

Sine, Israel, Bucks Co., Pa.Smith, Joseph W., Philadelphia, doSchock, Henry, North'pton Co., doScarborough, Thos., Bucks doSmith, Eli, do doTicero, Casper, Montgom'y doTomah, Adam, Bucks doTrauger, James, do doVanata, Samuel W., do doWelsh, Elias, Bucks doWeaver, John H., do doWentzell, Samuel, llontg'y doWarness, Alfred, do doWireman, Isaac, do doWorthington, J8hn, Bucks doWhite, Jacob, Montgomery doYoung, Samuel, Bucks doZimmerman, Michael, do do


Black, Isaac, Bucks Co., Pa. I Hill, Patterson, Philadelphia, Pa.

De Shaw, Francis, Philadelphia, do|Moyer, George, Bucks Co., do

Frederick, Wm. H., Bucks Co., do Wood, Kile, do doHutchinson, John, do do

|Wiley, James, do do

CONSCRIPTS AND SUBSTITUTES.Received at Morris Island, S. 0.

Adams, John A,

Bayley, Edgar S.,

Barnes, Abraham,Cornell, Sydney,Cooper, David R.,

Hanley, James,Hilgert, Jacob,

Easton, Pa.

dodododododo

La Bar, Philip J., Easton, Pa.

Ramey, William, do doSnyder, Daniel, Jr., Norristown, do

Shaffer, Brock, Easton, doStego, William H., do doStringfellow, Henry, Philada., doDunlap, Daniel," Easlon, do

OOMPANT "F."

Alfred Marple, Captain, Attleboro, Bucks Co., Pa.

David B. P. Hibbs, Jst Lieutenant, Middletown, Bucks Co., Pa.

Benjamin Albertson, 2nd do Falls, do do

SERGEANTS.Joseph Taylor, Southampton,James M. Fox, doBenjamin Wright, Falls

S. C. Worthington, North'nDavid Carter, MiddletownLewis J. H. Hellings, do

W. L. Preston, Morrisville

R. H. Krewson, Middlet'n

Pa.

dodo

Thos J. Brown, Southampton, Pa.

John Dyer, do

CORPORALS.

Burton. Anthony, Falls

Bise, Addis, Middletown

Pa. John C. Nelson, Fallsington

do David Everitt, Middletown

do Paschal C. Hibbs, do

do H. A. Martindell, Attleboro

MUSICIANS.Pa.

I

Wm. B. Smaill, Middletown

PRIVATES.Pa. I

Barnhill, Wm., Middletown

do Britten, H., Northampton

do

Pa.

dododo

Pa.

Pa.

do


Pa.dodo

dododododododo

Bender, Jacob, SoleburyComley, J. P., North'pton

Crock, John, doBavis, William, SoleburyDavidson, Sam'l, Middlet'nEastburn, Jos., South'ptonEastburn, Alfred, doEastburn, Cbas., BensalemErivin, James, Southampt'nGuie, George Q., Falls

Grimes, James, Frenchtown, N. J.

Hoff, Theodore, North'pton Pa.

Hains, J., Morrisville doHart, William, Philadelphia, Pa.

Headley, E. H., Faltiugton Pa.

Hibbs, S. G., Hulmeville do

Hickman, Jos., Tullytown doHigham, Albert, Philadelphia. Pa.

Johnson, Isaac, Middlet'n Pa.

Kuch, John F., Attleboro do

Kindey, Jacob, Buckingh'm do

Leach, Wm. W., Fallsingt'n doLeacb, Joseph J., Middlet'n doLeach, Jacob J., do doLeach, Henry L., do do

La Rue, Landrum, Byberry doMcNeal, James, North'pton do

McConnell, Manning, Falls ' do

McEuen, Wm.,Middletown doMershon, Henry, Falls do

Moon, David, Tullytown do

Minster, John, Middletown doMerrick, Petier B., Falls do

Parsons, John, Attleboro do

Parsons, W. E., South'pton do

Potts, George, Falls do

Reading, John,^ Falls

Reagin, William, BensalemSeese, M. M., SouthamptonSaylor, Mathias, Middlet'n

South, Merritt B., Falls

Severns Edward, Middlet'n

Stokes, John, Falls

Sirams, Thomas, South'pton

Stone, James, SoleburyStevens, T, T., North'ptonSanford, F. J., BuckinghamStackhouse, H. J., BensalemToy, Chas. T-, MiddletownTomlinson, Geo., Attleboro

Trencher, John, IS[orth'pton

Vanzant, Benj. B., Falls

Woodside, William, doWhite, James, doWaldron, Edw., HulmevilleWalker, Wm. B., RichboroWilliams, Jas. H., AttleboroWilson, Robert, Morrisville

Worthington, E.G., Bens'lmQuiun, Mich'l, Buckingh'mRickey, Wm. A., Morrisville

Kenney, Simon, doHarford, Jas., Northampt'nDoan, M., AttleboroBlutstine, Chr., Buck'ghamSpearing, J., MorrisvilleYeagler, Lewis, Hartsville

Hulick, J. S., MorrisvilleDonahoe, Jas., MiddletownRhoads, Garret, doCook, John G., Taylorsville

Cook, Chr. L., Montgomery

Pa.dodododododododododododododododododododododododododododododododododo

Co., Pa.

VOLUNTEER RECRUITS.Received after leaving Oamp Lacey.

Murphy, A. D., Penn's Manor, Pa.

Crozer, William, Morrisville, doEnglish, Joseph, Falls, do

States, Ambrose, Byberry, Pa.States, James, do doCheston, Washington, Bristol, do

CONSCRIPTS AND SUBSTITUTES.Received at Morris Island, S.

Allabangh, Madison, Scranton, Pa.

Bacorn, Nelson, doCampbell, George W., doChappall, Robert, doCollins, Enos, doConiway, James, doDoolery, Patrick, Pottsville, Pa.

Duckworth, William, Scranton, doGrisdale, George, Philadelphia, doHopkins, Judson, Scranton, doHarkins, William, Pottsville, do

Hooven, ConradMorris, Charles W.Morgan, Thomas,Mason, John,O'Neil, Edward,O'Connor, Hugh,Porter, Addis,

Pellam, William MRobinson, James,Smith, John,Smith, Patrick,

0.Scranton, Pa,

., do doPottsville, do

do doFrankford, do

Philadelphia, doScranton, do

do dodo dodo do

Pottsville, do


Smith, William H.,Reese, William,Wilson, John,

Soranton, Pa.

do doPottsville, do

Wall, Miles, Scranton, Pa.McDonald, Jamps, Philadelphia, doMcCai'tey, George, Pottsville, do

OOMPAITY "G."i

Jno. E., Corcoran, Captain, Upper Blacks Eddy, Bucks Co., Pa.Philip Hinkle, 1st Lieutenant, Plumsteadville, do doHarry C. Kessler, 2ud do Doylestown, do do

SERGEANTS.Jacpb Myers,Peter O'Connell,

Philip Burk,

Nockamixon, Pa.Bridgeton, do

do do

William Erwin,Thomas Fries,

Bridgeton, Pa.

Plumstead, do

CORPORALS.Hiram Pursell, Bridgeton, Pa. I Chas. Donnatt, Buckingham, Pa.Geo. S. Connor, Forrestville, do

|Philip Warford, Bridgeton, do

Henry Warford, Bridgeton,' do I Geo. W. Mitchener, Forrestville, doDavid Frankeniield, do do I Mahlon Lear, Solebury, do

James Smith,

Anderson, Joseph,

Burk, William,

Blaker, Joseph,Black, Zeanes,

Boileau, William,

Beatty, James,Carrol, Patrick,

MUSICIANS.Forrestville, Pa.

|Morgan, John W.,

PRIVATES.

Fallsington, Pa.

Forrestville, Pa.Bridgeton, do

Forrestville, doPlumstead, doBridgeton, do

do doLimeport, do

Cochran, Alexander, Bridgeton, doCosner, Thomas,Curly, Timothy,Davis, George,Eckhart, John,Ellis, Franklin,Eichline, John,Feely, William,

Foust, Jacob,Foust, Michael,Frankeniield, Reuben

Forrestville, doNew Hope, do

Forrestville, dodo do

Brownsburg, doTinicum, do

Bridgeton, dodododo

Frankeniield, Frederick, 'do

dodododo

Frankenfield, William, . do do

Gwinner, William, do do

Grey, Francis, do do

Grey, Wilson, do do

Ging, Charles, Point Pleasant, do

Garner, William, Philadelphia, do

Goodenow, William, do do

Harton, Farrel C, Bridgeton, do

Houseworth, Isaac, do do

Hutchinson, William, Allentown, do

Higgans,Lawrence,Yardleyville, do

Hamerstone, And., Bridgeton, do

Hill, Jacob, Buckingham, do

Hofford, Martin, Plumstead, Pa.

Howard, Samuel, Bridgeton, doKing, George, Buckingham, doKuhn, Adam, do doKeeler, Henry, Tinicum, doKohl, Charles, Nockamixon, doLear, Henry, Bridgeton, doLear, Jordan, Tinicum, doLerch, John, Bridgeton, doLeedom, Norris, Buckingham, doLower, John, Philadelphia, doLaubert, Amandus, Buckingh'm, doLawder, Benton, Plumstead, doMcNally, James, New Hope, doMurph, Wm. P., Yardleyville, doMyers, Charles, Nockamixon, doMercelious, Henry, Buck'gham, doMorgan, John M., Forrestville, doMunday, John, Plumstead, doNichol.as, Matthias, Tinicum, doNiblick, William, Buckingham, doO'Daniel, John, Bridgeton, doO'Connor, Michael, do doPursell, Frederick,

Reynolds, Thomas,Rose, Thomas,Reily, George,Reily, John,Robinson, Benj.,

Robinson, Isaac,

Strouse, John,Stafford, James,

do dodo dodo do

Buckingham, doDoylestown, doBuckingham, do

do doBridgeton, do

Doylestown, do

350 ONE HDNDRED AND FOURTH

Shookency, John,Sibbitt, Jobn,Steidenger, Israel,

Sees, John,

Smith, Henry,Schaffer, Gordon,Traugher, Reader,

Bridgeton, Pa.Solebury, doBridgetJn, doPlumstead, do

Tinicum, doPlumstead, do

Nockamixon, do

Warford, Amos,Warford, Isaac,

Weaver, William,

Walton, Oliver,

Watson, William,

Young, Michael,

Yeats, Ephraim,

Bridgeton, Pa.

do do, Tinicum, doSolebury, do

Bridgeton, doplumstead, doSolebury, do

VOLUNTEER RECRUITS.

Received after leaving Gatwp Lacey.~'

'"~ Kennedy, \Vm. E "

Kinsey, Simpson,Bill, Charles, Tinicum, Pa.

Bartlesou, Sam'l V., Solebury, doDhiel, Martin, Tinicum, doGdddes, Jones, Philadelphia, doHanford, George W., do doHillpot, Hugh F., Tinicum, doHinkle, La Fayette M., Plumst'd, do

CONSCRIPTS AND SUBSTITUTES.Received at Morris Island, S. Q.

Phoenixville, Pa.

Buckingham, doKohl, Joseph, Tinicum, doSchiable, Solomon, do doShamp, David, Bridgeton, doWhiticar, Wilmon W., Philada., do

Arnold, Stephen,


Bower, Anthony,Becker, Reuben,Brinzinger, Daniel,Buderwack, Samuel,Bragley, James S.,

Correll, Lewis,Correll, Joseph,Correll, Jonas,Dippery, Nathaniel,Enix, CharlesFox, Levi R.,

Forbion, Charles,

Galligham, James,Gieker, Albert,

Gray, Nathaniel,

Grew, Nelson, MontgomeryHughes, William, BerksHarner, John,Helms, Aaron,Hinman, John,Hartz, Henry B.,

Heckler, Augustus,Jackson, John J., DauphinHissinger, James, BerksKennedy, J., Schuylkill

Leiby, I'eter, BerksLutz, Henry, doMiller, Benjamin, do

Berksdodododododododododododododo

dododododo

Co., Pa.dododododododododododododododododo .

dodododododododododo

Maicks, Edward, Berks Co., Pa.

Mirom, Charles, do do

Maurer, Aaron, do doMcDermott, William, do doMoyer, George, do doNunnemacher,M.,Schuy'kl doNagle, Charles, Berks doPaulus, John, Lehigh doRoland, William, Berks doRhode, William B., do doRichards, William, do doRathman, Levi, do doRuth, Thomas, do doRowe, Joseph, do doRenneberger, Henry, do doQuimby, James A., do doS.iylor, George F., do doSchlegel, Charles, do doSeiders, Solomon, do doShoppell, Samuel, do doShaffer, Charles, do doShirey, Joseph, do doSteffy, Christian, do doStrausser, Elisha, do doWard, John, Gloucester Co., N. J.

Worthington, John, Bucks Co., Pa.

Wolf, Elias, Berks do

Althouse, John W.,Crossly, Chester,

Dean, James,Dilcamp, William,

Fisher, Henry J.,

Getz, Charles,

Leinbach, George,


Reading, Pa.

Bucks Co., dodo

Berks Cododo

Reading, dododo

dodo

Morris, James,Potts, Aaron,Reiff, Charles,

Rhoads, David E.,

Stackhovlse, Amos,

Bucks Co., Pa.

doBerksdo

BucksSchlegel, Lawrence, Berks

dododododo

CONSCRIPTS AND SUBSTITUTES.Received at Morris Island, S. C.

Boyle, John,Burns, George,Bowdiu, John,Diener, Henry,Dine, George,Duffy, William,

Fogerty, Thomas,Flyn, Peter,

Gray, Samuel,Grigous, George,

Herron, Daniel,

Hunter, William,

Hieff, William,

Huff, Daniel,

Hartshorn, Barak,

Philadelphia, Pa.

Pottsville, dododo

Frankford,do

Pottsville,

Scranton,

doPottsville, doFrankford, doPottsville, do

Easton, dodo do

Scranton, do

Hoggard, William, Philadelphia, Pa.Howel, John,Loeser, Thomas S.,

Long, Henrj' C,Miller, John,MilUiousen, CharlesMease, Cyrus,Murry, CharleS;

Martin, John,Nichols, Charles,

Reves, James,Richards, Charles,

Shaffer, Jacob,Simmons, James,Shuey, Ephraim B.


do doEaston, do

Philada., doPottsville, do

PhiLadelphia, doPottsville, doScranton, doEaston, do

Pottsville, doEaston, do

Pottsville, dodo do


Sweney, Patrick,

Sweney, William,

Stetler, Henry,Valentine, Ira,

Witmer, Josiah,

Pottsville,


Hall, Hiram,Hogeland, RichardKuey, George W.,Kerr, John,Lynch, Edward,Moore, Charles,

Osborne, Charles,

Park, John,

Doylestown, Pa.

, Nockamixon, doConnecticut.

New Britain, Pa.Yardleyville, do

Hilltown, doNockamixon, doPhiladelphia, do

Roller, William, New Britain, Pa.

Roberts, Peter A., Wright.stown, doSpenoe, James, Philadelphia, doWiggins, Charles R. , Plumstead, doWhalen, Edward II., Boston, Mass.Williams, Charles, New York.Wampold, Sassaman, Doylestown, Pa.Wychoff, Peter G., Allentown,'do

CONSCRIPTS AND SUBSTITUTES.Received at Morris Island, S. C.

Armstrong, Thomas, Scranton, PaBrown, William, Frankford, doBarriger, William, Scranton, doBoyer, Israel, Pottsville, doBetts, Peter, do doBriant, Charles, Scranton, doBennett, Rossman, do doColeman, Charles H., do do

Carter, William, Pottsyille, doCountryman, Philip, Easton, doDaymen, Edmund F., Phila., doDenney, George, Scranton, doDeTine, Michael, Pottsville, do

Decker, Geoi-ge, Scranton, doFlemings, George, Pottsville, do

Gleason, James J., Scranton, doCarman, Isaac, Pottsville, do

Harvey, William, do do

Hartman, Franklin, do do

Hillpot, Jonas F., Frankford, doHoward, Jesse, Scranton, doHays, John, Philadelphia, doKlingerman, Jacob, Pottsville, do

Knoblauch, Christian, do do

Lynn, John, do do

Moore, Augustus,Miller, George,Miller, Jonas,

Murphy, Thomas,Minnig, Edward,Mooney, John,Noll, William,

Odell, Thaddeus,Person, David,

Resseguie, John,Richardson, Mason,Sprague, Harrison,

Smith, Charles,

Pottsville, Pa.

do dodo do


Philadelphia, dodo do


Scranton, dodo dodo dodo do

Smith, John C, Philadelphia, do

E.,

Strickler, Jonathan,

Snyder, Jacob,

Stackhouse, Wm.Schooley, Peter,

Saokett, Charles,

Shirk, William,

Schoonover, Daniel,

Tanner, Cyrus,Tanner, Mordecai C,Walker, Francis M.,

Pottsville, dodo do

Scranton, dodo dodo do

Pottsville, doScranton, do

do dodo dodo do

COMPANY "K."

Henry Y. Pickering, Captain, Newtown, Pa.

Mahlon Yardley, 1st Lieutenant, Doylestown, Pa.

E. Sayers McDowell, 2nd Lieutenant, Bucks Co., Pa.

SERGEANTS.A. F. Mattis, Line Lexington, Pa.

Richard J. Lovett, Yardleyville, doThomas P. Chambers, Newtown, Pa.

Chas. G. Cadwallader, Dolington, do

Elwood Craven, Warminster, do

CORPORALS. ^

Theodore Glasgow, Warminster, Pa. IBenjamin S. Bennett, Newtown, Pa.

Samuel Drebbs, Chester Co., do |Charles P. Bissy, Bucks Co., do

Charles Brown, Bavaria, do Thomas C. Neild, do do

Andrew C. Reeves, Bucks Co., do|Josiah C. Hubbard, Newtown, do

MUSICIANS.Morris Worthington, Bucks Co., Pa.

|Joseph W. Griner, Newportville, Pa.

23


PRIVATES.Arrison, Thomas R., SomerTiUe, Pa.

Bennett, Moses, Bucks Co., doBennett, Charles L., do doBeard, William, London, doBissey, John W., Bucks Co., doBJaker, Lewis, Newtown, doBingham, Jonathan, Chester Co., doBrown, Geo. Delias, Bucks Co., doCarr, William, Longford, Ireland.

Cadwallader, D. J., Bucks Co., Pa.

Cadwallader, T., do doCooper, John J., do doCutter, William, do doCummings, Michael, Ross., Ireland.

Cape, John B., Middleton, Pa.

Demming, Benj. S., Monlg. Co., doDetwiler, Henry, do doFugle, William, Germany.Gilbert, Benjamin, Bucks Co., Pa.

Good, Silas A,, do doHawk, Thomas, do doHare, George W., do doHare, William B., do doHardex, John H., Philadelphia, Pa.

Hartly, George E., Bucks Co., doHarman, John,Howell, William A.

Howell, Joseph E.,

Hutchinson, John,Jarrett, B. Frank,Kramer, Charles,

Vanhorn, Charles D., Bucks Co.,

do dodo dodo do

Ireland.

Montg. Co., Pa.

do do'Kinsey, William, Bucks Co., doKinsey, Robert, do doKern, Christian, Wertenberg, Pa.

Lambert, Alfred, Bucks Co., doLee, William, do doLee, John, do doLee, Joseph, do do


Hill, Joseph H., Philadelphia, Pa. I Newbold, Tobias, Montg. CoHowell, Daniel R., Bucks Co., Pa.

|Krouse, John J., Lehigh

Vanhorn, Isaiah M., do do White, Moses, BucksBornnman, Lewis, Philadelphia, Pa.

|Cooper, Preston, do

Lewis, Stockdale, Bucks Co., Pa.

Mann, Isaac K., Montgomery Co., do

Miller, Thos. M., Northampton, do

Myer, Peter, GermanyMohr, Adolphus, Bavaria.

Parson, Joseph, Lumberville, Pa.

Randall, Andrew V., Bucks Co., do

Kadcliff, Geo. W., Philadelphia, doRaab, Barcley, Bucks Co., doRhodes, Tarlton A., New York.

Rice, Simpson, Bucks Co., I'a.

Ryan, John, do doSand, B. Frank, Philadelphia, doSellers, Milton,

Settle, Jacob,Scofield, Joseph,Stapler, William,Stringer, John,

Bucks Co., doGermany.

Bucks Co., Pa.

do doEngland.

Sherman, Christian, Lancas. Co., Pa.

Smith, Mahlon, Bucks doScott, William S., do doStreet, Benj. F., Montg. doStreet, Daniel, Bucks doStarkey, Wm. H. H., do doThomas, Daniel L., do doTomlinson, Wm. P., do doTyndale, Alfred, do doThatcher, John, New Jersey.

Pa.

doPa.dodododo

Voorhees, Jacob S.,

Walton, Ely K.,

Webster, Charles W.Wagner, William,Wildonger, John,Worthington, Theo.,Witham, John E.,

Wiley, William,

Phila.

Bucks Co,

doMontg.Bucksdo

Halifax, N. S.

Bucks Co., Pa.

Pa.

dododo

'Baker, James B,

Buchanan, Benj. H.,

Kramer, Lewis B.,

' Oougle, Charles,

Cooper, John L.,

Collins, Jacob,Chamberlain, WilliamDarragh, Orphenia,

CONSCRIPTS AND SUBSTITUTES.Received'- at Morris Island, S. C.

Pennsylvania.|


Jones, Join,Johnson, James,Krum, David B.,

Knapp, Sylvester,

Lawrence, John,McCann, David,

Ottleben, Franz,

Pottsville, Pa.Philadelphia, do

Seranton, dodo do

Philadelphia, doSeranton, do

Philadelphia, do

Quick, James, Seranton, Pa.

Ransom, John, do doSanszenberger, Jacob, Phila., doStanton, Oliver, Easton, doStores, Kussell, Seranton, doWilliams, JohnF., Philadelphia, doWilliams, John, Pottsville, do

Enlisted Men Killed in Action.

Shadinger, Wm. J ASilvey, Joseph ABrierly, James AGill, Abraham BHartley, John S CMagill, Georges CClayton, Samuel S..... CWatson, Samuel A CMorris Crispen CShaw, Moses B. CWynkoop, Thomas CBrown, William W. H CBaltz, Peter DButterworth, Henry DDiffenbrook, Adolphus EHart, Charles S I

Margerum, Samuel I

Muir, James I

McNeil, James I

Nicholas, Wm. B I

Whalen, Edward S I

Sailor, Matthias F

Died ofLear, Thomas ARuth, William H BEckhart, Levfis H BBartley, Charles BBrinker, Jacob R BWhittaker, Abraham BStackhouse, Samuel A CLambert, Isaac L CLilly, Amandus DHarfeter, Gottleib DErwin, William GEchline, John G

Eastburn, Charles FStates, James PStevens, Thomas T FRose, Thomas GBeilly, John GSees, John GGay, Nathaniel HNagle, Charles HLutz, Henry HRichards, William HStackhouse, Amos HSeiders, Solomon HCutler, William KBissy, JohnW KHowell, Daniel B KHowell, William A KLee, John «. KSchofield, Joseph KStringer, John KFugle, William KRadcliffe, George W K

Wounds.

Mundy, John GHofford, Martin GBrinzinger, Daniel HRhode, William HBradly, Hugh IDevins, George I

Hasset, John I

Sellers, Milton KMohr, Adolph KKinsey, Robert KLee, Joseph KBaker, James K

Died of Disease.

Slack, William P ABertles, Jacob ASellers, Gilberts AFryling, Wilson AAngeny, Abraham AArnold, Charles AReynolds, William A AMalsbury, William A

Widdifield, Thomas B ASmith, Mordecai B AGallagher, Henry ADarling, Edwin S BFell, Henry BBaker, Zachariah CSmith, Tunis K CHilborn, John C

356 ONE HUNDUED AND FOURTH

Silvey, Abraham CMoGuigan, James CMullen, Joseph CMarlin, George CSmith, Joseph B DSlight, Charles DHaverstraw, William DHeiste, Joseph DDilliarJ, Henry DCroman, Jacob DNaan, James DThompson, Aaron DBeam, OliverW EClemens, Samuel EGamble, Charles EGriesimer, Henry EHenn, Jacob ESchwartz, John EScarborough, Thomas EMeyer, George EBailey, Edgar S EBlutstine, Christian EHibbs, Stephen G FHarford, James FParsons, "William E FWorthington, Frank C FBlaker, Joseph G

Cosner, Thomas GLerch, John GMerceleous, Henry GBower, Anthony HCrossley, Chester B HGallager, James HHarner, John HKennedy, Jonathan HMorris, James HEoland, William HWolf, Elias HWoodward, Thomas HBoiles, Theodore I

Dunn, Thomas I

Osborne, Charles I

Ortl, Jackson H I

Seller, Frederick I

Shearer, Henry I

Boyer, Israel I

Wiggins, Charles I

Kramer, Charles R KLee, William KStreet, Benjamin F KWebster, Charles W KWilliam Hart FJohnson, George —

Discharged onConnard, AndrewClymer, JamesDonahue, MichaelJohnson, Edward RWood, JosephCampbell, John BGano, StephenSlack, James LHeller, Nathaniel AMartin, JohnCarter, DavidStokes, JohnAnderson, JosephBoileau, AVilliam , ...

Lear, HenryLowder, Fenton

Account of Wounds.

Dkcharged on AccountAlgard, Jeremiah ABauer, John AEnt, George AEckhardt, Charles AFryling, Levi AGroom, Ramsey C AHanafius, Jacob AHubbard, Nathaniel AJacobs, John AMorgan, Wm. A ANice, John...2 A

Frankenfield, William GWiggins, Lawrence GKuhn, Adam GO'Daniel, John GWarford, Amos GBlake, Andrew I

Bickle, Levi M I

Carman, Wm. P I

SoUey, Cornelius I

Ruby, Fernandus I

Detvviler, Henry KStapler, William KArrison, Thomas KKern, Christian KReeves, Andrew C K

of Physical Disahiliti/

Raisner, Wm. A AReamer, Joseph AStirk, Oliver K AStalcup, Wm. H AStraub, Joseph H ATitus, Wm AToy, Charles ATorpy, Patrick AWright, Leonard AWalton, John ABryan, Lycurgus B


Batohelor, Franklin BDean, Henry C BDonahoe, John BFlack, Harman BGarner, George W BGarner, Amos BJohnson, George W BLeister, Michael BMyers, John G BDonahoe, John BPrice, Frederick BHumphrey, John BParks, Samuel C BSmith, Andrew BTomlinson, David B BWood, Wm BWorthington, Wm. B BClark, Stephen CDungan, James B CHellings, Jonathan CKitchen, Harrison CMoss, Mahlon H CNaylor, Houston CNice, Peter CObendefter, Jacob CRoberts, Crispin CRoberts, Wm. R CRyan, Francis G CRice, GeorgeWMcCloskey, John CStafford, John CScarborough, Rutlege CAlthouse, Henry DBrown, Wm. M DBreiner, Charles M DBooz, John N DDiehl, Jacob DFarren, Wm DFranks, Wm. D DHulit, Wm. C DMiller, Francis DMcNamee, Peter DOsbach, Howard DRooks, Charles DSnyder, Wm. R DTomlinson, Thomas F EBeck Harry EBiddle, Cephas R ECoar, Francis L EDeamer, Elias EHilt, JoelC ELarrison, Joseph H EFrederick, Henry ELougenour, Levi EJordan, Jacob EMorris, George ENicholas, Tobias E

Race, Aaron ERush, John EBrown, Thomas J FBurton, Anthony FBritton, Henry FCook, JohnG PChew, Benjamin FEnglish, Joseph FHickman, Joseph FKinney, Simon FHibbs, Paschal C FLeech, Wm. W FLeech Joseph J FKains, John FGuie, George Q FParsons, John PTomliuson, George FWorthington, Samuel C PWalker, Wm. B FConuell, Hugh FBartleson, Samuel P GBlack, Zeanas GDonnatt, Charles GDavis, George GFaust, Michael GHammerstone, Andrew GKohl, Charles GLeedom, Norris GLear, Jordan 6Morgan, John M GNibblick, Wm GWeaver, William GBrayley, James HBower, Thomas HBuderwack, Samuel HHelms, Aaron HHinman, John HJackson, John J HMaicks, Edward HMirom, Charles HMcDermott, William HNunnemacher, Moses •... HPotts, Aaron HRenneberger, Henry HSchlegel, Charles HSaylor, George HWorthington, John HWalter, Jonathan HAdams, Lewis I

Campbell, Robert W I

Fritz, William I

Franck, William H I

Foxhole, Enoch I

Hass, Henry I

Henderson, Thomas I

Hogeland, Richard I

Hungrage, William I


Albright, Stephen E Band.Jenks, Michael E., Non-Com. Staff.

Rogers, James M., " "

Hall, Hiram I

Kleimer, Alfred I

Moor, Charles I

Peali, John W I

Spence, James I

Sands, Ezra I

Thompson, Hamilton I

Wampole, Sassaman I

Modocli, Philip I

White, Harrison I

Brown, George KBennett, Moses KBoonmann, Lewis K

Bingham, Jonathan KChambers, Thomas P KCooper, John J KHill, Joseph H KHutchinson, John KMiller, Thomas P KNeild, Thomas C KNewbold, Tobias KKaab, Barclay KWagner, William KWinner, Joseph, Non-Com. Staff.

Whipple, Clement R., " "

Tayman, James —Walden, Alexander —Fenton, George —

Discharged hy Civil Process.

Bennett, Wm.S B|

Foley, John DWorthington, John J B

|Sacks, Oliver D

Wounded Returned to Duty.Bartleman, Fredolm AFryling, Isaac S AGallagher, James AGares, James AHorn, Pierson A AMartindale, William Y ANaylor, William H ASwartley, Henry AWhitecraft, Andrew AWiddifield, Thomas AWigton, John J AConnard, William BHolmes, John B BMillis, Edwin S BPorter, Charles L BRapp, Markley BSwartly, Philip 1) BWorthington, William B BWhite, JarTis BCooper, Jordan CEastburn, Harrison CStiner, William H CTitus, Elias CAntrim, William H. H DGeary, George C DGodshall, Levi S DKeiser, Charles W DKreader, Daniel DMiller, Evan DMusselman, John B DMace, Samuel DThomas, Silas DTrumbower, Hilary DThompson, Aaron DRohr, John DWright, Samuel D

Wambold, Jeremiah DLex, William EWentsell, E.Samuel BComley, Jackson P FDoan, Marmaduke R FHigham, Albert PMcEuen, William FToy, Charles T FTrencher, John FStokes, John FStackhouse, Hutchinson J FSpearing, Josliua FRhodes, Garrett FBurk, Philip GBurk, William GBeatty, James GConner, George S GCarroll, Patrick GCollins, J. A GPurcell, Frederick GCurly, Timothy GFeely, William GFrankenfield, David GGing, Charles GGray, Wilson GHarton, Farrel C GHammerstone, Andrew GHofford, Martin GHoward, Samuel GMyers, Jacob GMcNclly, James GMundy, John (J

Nicholas, Martin Q,

Pursell, Hiram W QRobinson, Isaac J GStrouse, John G


Warford, Philip GAlthouse, John W HEnix, Charles HHousum, John P II

Loeser, Thomas HMoyer, George HNichols, Charles HBertlea, Andrew F I

Biddle, Joseph P I

Hampton, Augustus I

Deits, Amasa I

O'Neil, Francis M I

Parmer, Adolphus H I

Rorer, William I

SoUey, William I

Brown, Charles KBennett, Benjamin S K

Craven, Elwood KCadwallader, Timothy K.

Blaker, Lewis KDimming, Benjamin S KHare, George W KHartley, George E KGlasgow, Theodore KHutchinson, John KHare, William KJarrett, B, Frank KRandall, Andrew V KRice, Simpson KSherman, Christian KWitham. J. Edward KWalton, Ely KMattis, A.Frank KWiley, William K

Talcen Prisoners.Eckhardt, Lewis H BDonahoe, Michael BHeaney, William P BMair, John BSwartley, Philip D BWhittaker, Abraham BBobbins, William CEyan, Francis G CLeatherberry, Fenwiek DBosenberger, Levi A DShelly, Henry M DEnders, Andrew EBickel, Christian EBeck, Samuel H EBissey, John EBrown, Francis M EBuck, Jerome •. ECore, Francis L ESigafoos, William EClemens, Samuel ECampmau, Jacob ECoyle, Patrick ECampbell, Harrison G EDarrah, Charles EDe Shaw, Francis EDevereaux, James EElf, Conrad EFonash, John EFornoman, William EFarrell, Aaron EFisher, John E

Glase, Jacob EGamble, Charles EHarr, David EHeisler, Elias EKohl, Henry H EKnoll, Frederick EKramer, Elwood ELehnen, Frederick G ELeibler, Adam ELiveugood, Joseph ELogan, George ELongenour, Josiah , ELongenour, Levi EMontgomery, John EMcGlathery, Charles EMclntyre, William EPrice, John ERicketts, William EShaw, Christian ESchwartz, John EShellenbuger, Levi EShock, Henry EWalker, William EHart, William FSouth, Merritt B FErwin, William GHiggins, Lawrence P GMcNelly, James GStrawbridge, William HMatlack, Jeremiah I

Lee, Joseph K

Missing in Action.

Nicholas, Matthias G IFeshner, John D

Warford, Philip G|

Transferred to Invalid Corps.

Gares, James A|Ackerman, William » B

Wisler, John A|Ganzey, James B B


Faes, Jacob DProsser, David D DHartz, Henry B HMiller, Benjamin HGreen, Aaron EHeisler, Elias EPrice, John E

Zimmerman, Michael EMcEwen, "William FStackhouse, Hutchinson J FToy, Charles T FCarver, Henry I

Cropley, John S I

Thatcher, John K

Discharged ly Order of Secretary of War.

Wagner, Henry C

Transferred to 3d U. S. Cavalry.

Campbell, Harrison E

Drowned.

Walter, Levi A. Folly Island beach, July, 1863.

Discharged hy reason of Promotion 'o Commission in the regiment,

AUbertson, Benjamin FTaylor, Joseph FHolmes, Kobert. Mon-Com. Staff.

Myers, Jacob GO'Connell, Peter GBitting, Charles A HHecliler, Charles A HO'Neill, Francis M I

Williams, Joseph H I

Cadwallader, Charles G KCraven, Ehvood K

Wallazz, Ed. A. Non-Com. Staff.

Fretz, Edwin ALaughlin .T. McDonald AHanev, William P BMiddifield, Henry A BMichener, Charles T CScarborough, Thomas B CTyson, Julius B. Non-Com. Staff.

Markley, Levi II DShaffer, Wm. M DGlase, Jacob W EFox, James M F

Discharged hy reason ofPromotion to Commission in Regular Army.Shindel, Jeremiah P ADischargedhy reason of Promotion to Commission in 'id S. G. Col'd.

Perry, Robert W C|Ryan, Samuel P C

Discharged hy reason of enlistment in 2cZ ^S*. C. Colored.

Elliott, William R C

Mustered out hy Order of the War Department.

Jobst, John C Leader.Cox, William Band.Dankel, S.amuel

Druckenmiller, J. J. WI'lngleman, SylvesterGallagher, Henry HGorr, George HKnauss, Harraan SLewis, Joseph MMann, JohnE

CASUALTIES AND CHANGES AMONG COMMISSIONED OFFICERS.

Killed in Action.

E. S. McDowell, H., 2d Lt., May 31, 1862, At Fair Oaks, Va.,

Reichart, .lacob Band.Rohs, William "

Seip, William S "

Spoenhcimer, Lewis *'

Tool, Henry S "

Tool, Alberts "

Tool, Eugene T "

Widrig, .James H *'

Knauss, Harrison E "

Philip Burke, G., July 9, 1864, John's Island, S. C.


Names.

John M. Gries,

W. W, H. Davis,

Jas. R. Orem,J. Swartzlander,

J. E. Corcorau,D. B. Groff,

Jas. D. Hendrie,

G. W. Ashenfelter,

F. M. O'Neill,

Wm. F. Walter,

Theo. Kephart,

RiXK. Remarks.

Died of Wonndx.Major, June 13, 1862. Died at Phila. of wounds

rec'd. at Fair Oaks, May 31, 1862.

Wounded.Fair Oaks,

Va., in arm.JoIiq's Island, S. C, band.Fair Oaks, Va., in foot.

" " mouth." " abdomen.

Seven Pines, Va., in side.

Fair Oaks, Va., in arm." " ankle." " thigh.

Col.,

Capt.,

1st Lt.,

Qr. Mr.,

2d Lt,.,

Capt.,

May 31, 1862,

July 6, 1864,May 31, 1864,

24,

31,

Edward M. Croll,

Wm. T. Robinson,

Wm. W. Marple,Jas. M. Carver,

Levi H. Markly,Jas. D. Hendrie,D.W. Cadwallader,

" Slightly wounded at FairOaks and on two other occasions.

Taken prisoners.

2d Lt. Co. E., Captured at Fair Oaks, Va.,

May 31, 1862.

Surgeon, " John's Island S. C,July 4, 1865.

Transferred.Capt., July 3, 1863, Appointed Lt. Col. 2d S. C. C. T.

IstLt., Apr. 1.5, 1863, " Capt. 2d S. C. ""2d Lt., Apr. 30, 1863, " " " " "

Qr. Mr., Aug. 1, 1863, Transf d. to Invalid Corps.

Asst. Sur., Appointed Surg. 169 P. M.

Resigned.G. W. Ashenfelter, 1st. Lt.,

Harry C. Kessler, "

Benj. Duncan, "

J. C. Robinson, 2d Lt.,

Benj. Albertson, "

E. M. Croll,

F. M. O'Neill,

Wm. P. Heany, "Joseph Taylor, "

JohnW. Nields, Lt. Col.,

Wm. A. Peck, Surgeon,Jas. R. Orem, Capt.,

Wm. F. Walter, Capt.,

H. W. Heany, "

W. S. Hendrie, Asst. Surgeon,

Richard Roberts, 1st Lt.,

Philip Hinkle, "

J. M. Beans, 2d Lt.,

Resigned to accept Civil Apjjointment.

Mahlon Yardley, 1st Lt., Appointed Provost Marshal 5th Dist. Penna.

Enos R. Artman, " App'd Asst. Prov. Marshal " "

Promotions.Names.

Thompson D. Hart,

Edward L. Rogers,

Wm. T. Robinson,

Henry W. Heany,Theo. Kephart,

Diller B. Groff,

J. McD. Laughlin,

Rank.

Adjutant,Capt. Co. A.,

Ass't. Surg.,

IstLt.

Sergt.,

Kem.\ekb.

Promoted to Lt. Col. Aug. 8, 1862." Major, .luly 1, 1862." Surg., July 25, 1862.

Promoted to Captain.

Sep. 16, 1862.

•' 1st Lt., Nov. 17, 1862," " Capt. May 10, 1863.


Name.


23 Josiali Langenowex- E24 Francis M. Brown E25 David Everett, Jr F26 L. J. W. Heelings F27 Theodore HofF F28 John Crook P29 James White F30 Wm. Barnhill F31 James Stone F32 Hugh Martindale F33 Jeremiah Hulich F34 Jacob Kindey F35 Benj. N. Vamant F36 Michael Toung G37 Joseph Cole G38 Henry Warford G39 Wm. S. Wagener G

40 JohnP. Housum H41 Aaron Helms H42 Samuel N. Garren I

43 Seneca Beal I

44 Joseph Beal I

45 Amna Deitz I

46 Jacob Hoover I

47 S. Marjorum I

48 Benj. S. Bennett K49 Wm. Kinsey K50 Isaiah Vanhoru K51 John H. Hardy K52 Benj. F. Land K58 Mahlon Smith K54 Theodore Geasgom K55 Jacob S. Vorhees K56 John Crocs K

Transferred to the Navy.

John C. Smith.


JIan'g JloConuell, F,

Michael Qainn, F,

Henry Mershon, F,

Louis Yeagcr, F,

Ambrose States, F,

H. A. Widdifield, B,

William Melick, B,

Eleazer Beal, B,

Charles Beal, B,

Markley Rapp, B,

Samuel Silvey, B,

James Silvey, B,

Wm. Vanhorn, B,

John Maier, E,

Sim. K. Overholt, B,

Wm. B. Johnson, B,Eufus Stetler, B,

James Martin, D,

Evan Miller, D,

Jeremiah Wambold, D,

J. B. Musselman, D,

Christian Grossman, D,

Daniel Kleinsmith, D,

C. A. Heckler, H,Joel Setley, Sergeant, H,Clinton W. Seyfert, H,George Bost, II,

James Toole, H,John Paules, H,

Henry G. Hauch, H,Charles S. Michener, C,

William H. Magee, C,

John J . Wigton, A,

Kobert E. Benson, A,

Isaac L. Fryling, A,Pearson A. Home,John Hultz, A,

Sylvester Kyle, A,Charles Solliday, A,

Joseph Sands, A,John L. Stokes, A,

Daniel Seifert, A,

Andrew J. C. Terry, A,

William Brown, A,Joseph T. Hart, A,

Samuel N. Garren, I,

Jas. Macdonald, I,

William Rorer, I,

Seneca Beal, I,

Nathaniel Gamble, I,

John Park, I,

William Stroup, I,

George Hertig, Musician, I,

Andrew J. Bartels, I,

William Gaddes, I,

Hantz Glaushouse, I,

Augustus Hampton, I,

Enoch Russell, I,

Peter Hunter, I,

George W. Hare, K,Wm. B. Hare, K,Jacob Settle, K;Daniel Thomas, K,Benj. S. Bennett, K,Michael Cummings, K,Charles D. Vanhorn, K,John E. Witham, K,Fre. Frankenfleld, G,

Michael F. Young, G,Am'ds Laubert, G,

Alexander Cochran, U,Wm. Morgan, G,Wm. J. Walker, E,

Wm. Mclntyre, E,

George Logan, E,

Wm. Ricketts, E,

Adam Leibler, E,

Joseph M. Livengood, E,Isaac Wierman, E,

John Daniel, E,

Wm. Cigenfoos, E,

Elias Welch, E,

Samuel Young, E,

James Devreus, E,

George Robinsoii, B,

(1866) History of the 104th Pennsylvania Regiment: From 1861 to 1864

Documents

Transcript of (1866) History of the 104th Pennsylvania Regiment: From 1861 to 1864